Read the Bible

¹ After this Jesus went about, preaching to every city and village, proclaiming the reign of the Messias, attended by his twelve apostles, ² and several women, who had been delivered from evil spirits and cured of their diseases: particularly Mary Magdalene, who had been dispossess'd of seven demons: ³ Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's high-steward: Susanna, and several others, who assisted him with their fortunes.

⁴ A vast number of people being assembled, and crowding to him from all quarters, he thus address'd himself to them by way of parable. ⁵ a husbandman went out to sow his corn: and as he was sowing, some fell upon the beaten road, which was crush'd under foot, or devoured by the birds. ⁶ some fell upon very stony ground, which no sooner sprung up, but it wither'd away, for want of moisture: ⁷ some fell among thorns; but the thorns over-grew it, and starv'd it. ⁸ but some of the corn fell into good soil, and grew up, yielding a hundred grains for one. then raising his voice he concluded with these words, he that hath ears to hear, let him hear. ⁹ But his disciples having ask'd him the meaning of this parable; ¹⁰ he answered, the secret circumstances of the divine dispensation may be clearly revealed to you, but to others only in parables, so that they don't observe what they see, nor comprehend what they hear. ¹¹ now the meaning of the parable is this: the seed sown signifies the word of God. ¹² by the beaten road is meant, they who only hear: the word, by the lurking wiles of the devil, being hinder'd from taking root in their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. ¹³ by the stony ground is understood such persons as receive indeed the doctrines they hear, with joy: but for want of resolution, believe only occasionally, and desert when the trial comes. ¹⁴ the ground over-run with thorns denotes such as have embraced the doctrine, but are so immerst in the business, enjoyments, and pleasures of life, as not to improve it to any real advantage. ¹⁵ but by the good ground is meant such persons as have received the doctrine with simplicity and sincerity, abide by it, and practise it with perseverance. ¹⁶ Now, no one lights a lamp to hide it under a vessel, or under a bed: but sets it on a stand, to give light to all the company. ¹⁷ whatever is now obscure, shall hereafter be made clear; whatever is now conceal'd, shall then be publickly known. ¹⁸ improve therefore what you hear: for he that improves what he has, shall have more; but he that does not, shall lose even that, which he thinks he possesses. ¹⁹ One day the mother of Jesus, and his brethren came to speak with him, but could not get near by reason of the crowd. ²⁰ so some of the company said to him, your mother and brethren are waiting without, desiring to see you. ²¹ but he answered them, my mother and brethren are these, who attend to the word of God, and practise it.

²² The same day Jesus went on board a vessel with his disciples, and said to them, let us pass over to the other side of the lake: and so they put off to sea. ²³ while they were rowing, Jesus fell asleep: when there blew such a storm of wind upon the lake, as fill'd the boat with water, and endanger'd their lives. ²⁴ then they came to wake him, crying, master, master, we are sinking. then he rose up, and rebuked the wind, and the waves: and both subside to a calm. ²⁵ but to his disciples he said, where is your faith? while they, seiz'd with fear and admiration, said to one another, who can this man be, that he commands even the winds, and the waves, and they obey? ²⁶ Then they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which lies opposite to Galilee. ²⁷ when he was landed, there met him a man, who belong'd to the city Gadara, and had been for a long time possessed by demons. he did not wear any cloaths, nor dwell in any house, but among the tombs. ²⁸ upon seeing Jesus, he set up a great cry, fell down before him, and roar'd out, what business have you with me, Jesus son of the most high God? I beseech you torment me not. ²⁹ for he had commanded the impure spirit to quit the man, he had so long possessed: who, tho' bound in chains, and fastned with fetters, broke thro' all restraints, and was hurry'd by the demon into the desarts. ³⁰ upon Jesus's saying to him, what is your name? he answer'd, legion, (for many demons were enter'd into him.) ³¹ and they entreated him not to condemn them to the abyss. ³² but there being a numerous herd of swine feeding on the mountain, they desired he would permit them to enter into the swine, which he granted. ³³ accordingly the demons quitted the man, and enter'd into the swine: immediately the herd ran headlong down a precipice into the lake, and were drowned. ³⁴ the keepers seeing this, ran about and spread it, both in town, ³⁵ and country, whence numbers went to see the fact: being come to Jesus, they found the man, who had been dispossess'd of the demons, sitting at Jesus's feet, cloathed, and in his right senses: at which they were much surpriz'd, ³⁶ being inform'd by those that were present, by what means the demoniac had been cured. ³⁷ then the Gadarenes of the adjacent parts unanimously desired him to leave their country: for they were greatly allarm'd. so he embark'd to cross over the lake. ³⁸ now the man, who had been dispossess'd, begg'd to take him with him. but Jesus dismissed him, ³⁹ saying, go home, and relate, what great things God hath done for you. whereupon he departed, and published through all the city, what a wonderful deliverance Jesus had wrought for him.

⁴⁰ Jesus upon his return was received by a great number of people, who expected him. ⁴¹ Some time after, a person nam'd Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came to Jesus, and upon his knees desired him to come to his house: ⁴² for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, who lay a dying. as he was on the way, the crowd press'd after him, ⁴³ and among the rest a woman, who had been troubled with an hemorrhage twelve years, having consum'd her whole fortune upon physicians, who could none of them cure her; she getting behind him, ⁴⁴ touched the border of his garment: and immediately her indisposition was removed. ⁴⁵ upon which Jesus said, who was it that touch'd me? they being all at a loss, what to answer, at length Peter, and the others with him, said, master, the crowd are squeezing and pressing about you, and yet you cry, "who touch'd me?" ⁴⁶ but Jesus said, somebody has touched me: for I know what influence my power has had. ⁴⁷ then the woman finding she could not conceal herself, came trembling, and kneeling down before him, confess'd before all the people, why she had touch'd him, and how she was instantly cured. ⁴⁸ but he said to her, daughter, don't be under any concern: your faith has sav'd you, go in peace. ⁴⁹ While he was speaking, somebody came from the ruler of the synagogue's house, who said to him, your daughter is dead; 'tis in vain to importune the master any farther. ⁵⁰ but when Jesus heard that, he said to Jairus, be not afraid: only believe, and she shall recover. ⁵¹ being come to the house, he suffer'd nobody to go into the room with him, except Peter, John and James, and the young woman's father and mother. ⁵² the company there were all in tears lamenting for her: but he said don't weep; she is not dead, but asleep. ⁵³ upon which, they knowing she was really dead, treated him with derision. ⁵⁴ but Jesus oblig'd them to withdraw; then grasping her hand, he said, my child, arise. ⁵⁵ immediately she came to life, and rose up: and he order'd, that something should be given her to eat. ⁵⁶ and her parents were seized with astonishment: but he charg'd them not to let the fact be known to any one.