Meditationson

THE NEW TESTAMENT

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Douay-Rheims

Illustrations by Gustave Doré

INTRODUCTION

The New Testament (Greek:Καινὴ ∆ιαθήκη, Kainē Diathēkē) is the name givento the second major division of the Christian Bible, the first such division beingthe much longer Old Testament. The New Testament is sometimes calledthe Greek New Testament or Greek Scriptures, or the New Covenant.

The original texts were written by various authors sometime after c. AD 45,in Koine Greek, the lingua franca of the eastern part of the Roman Empire.Although Rylands Papyrus 52 is generally accepted as the earliest extant record ofa canonical New Testament, which dates somewhere between 117 AD and 138AD.

Its books were gradually collected into a single volume. Although Christiandenominations differ as to which works are included in the New Testament, themajority have settled on the same twenty-seven book canon: it consists of the fournarratives of the life and death of Jesus, called “Gospels”; a narrativeofthe Apostles’ ministries in the early church, probably by the same author as theGospel of Luke, which it continues; twenty-one early letters, commonly called“epistles” in Biblical context, written by various authors and consisting mostly ofChristian counsel and instruction; and an Apocalyptic prophecy.

THE GOSPELS

Each of the Gospels narrates the life and death of Jesus of Nazareth.

The Gospel of Matthew, traditionally ascribed to the Apostle Matthew, son ofAlphaeus according to Papias, (see the Gospel according to the Hebrews) Clementof Alexandria, Irenaeus and Eusebius.

The Gospel of Mark, traditionally ascribed to Mark the Evangelist, who wrotedown the recollections of the Apostle Simon Peter according to Papias, Clementof Alexandria, Irenaeus, Eusebius.

The Gospel of Luke, traditionally ascribed to Luke, a physician and companionof the Apostle Paul according to Clement of Alexandria, Irenaeus, Eusebius,Canon Muratori.

The Gospel of John, traditionally ascribed to the Apostle John, son ofZebedee according to Papias, Clement of Alexandria, Irenaeus, Eusebius, CanonMuratori, Codex Vaticanus Alexandrinus.

The first three are commonly classified as the Synoptic Gospels. They containvery similar accounts of events in Jesus’ life. The Gospel of John describes severalmiracles and sayings of Jesus not found in the other three.

Added to the gospels are the Acts of the Apostles, the Pauline Epistles (14),General Epistles (7), and a Revelation. These latter together with the Gospelsform the Canon.

THE ANNUNCIATION

And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city ofGalilee, called Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name wasJoseph,of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel being comein, said unto her:Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou amongwomen.Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herselfwhat manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said to her:Fear not,Mary, for thou hast found grace with God.

Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thoushalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son ofthe mostHigh; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father; and heshall reign in the house of Jacob for ever. And of his kingdom there shall be noend. And Mary said to the angel:How shall this be done, because I know notman?And the angel answering, said to her:The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee,and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also theHoly which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

(Lk. 1:26-35)

THE NATIVITY

And it came to pass, that in those days there went out a decree from CæsarAugustus, that the whole world should be enrolled. This enrolling was first madeby Cyrinus, the governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, every one into hisown city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth intoJudea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: because he was of thehouse and family of David, To be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who waswith child.

And it came to pass, that when they were there, her days were accomplished, thatshe should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped himup in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room forthem in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds watching, andkeeping the night watches over their flock. And behold an angel of the Lord stoodby them, and the brightness of God shone round about them; and they feared witha great fear. And the angel said to them:Fear not; for, behold, I bring you goodtidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people:

For, this day, is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David.And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddlingclothes, and laid in a manger.And suddenly there was with the angel a multitudeof the heavenly army, praising God, and saying:Glory to God in the highest; andon earth peace to men of good will.And it came to pass, after the angels departedfrom them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: Let us go over toBethlehem, and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord hathshewed to us.

And they came with haste; and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lyingin the manger. And seeing, they understood of the word that had been spoken tothem concerning this child. And all that heard, wondered; and at those things thatwere told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these words, pondering themin her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, for all thethings they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

(Lk. 2:1-20)

THE WISE MEN GUIDED BY THE STAR

When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod,behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. Saying, Where is hethatis born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are cometoadore him. And king Herod hearing this, was troubled, and all Jerusalem withhim. And assembling together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, heinquired of them where Christ should be born. But they said to him: In Bethlehemof Juda. For so it is written by the prophet:

And thou Bethlehem the land of Juda art not the least among the princes of Juda:for out of thee shall come forth the captain that shall rule my people Israel.[Mi.

5:1] Then Herod, privately calling the wise men, learned diligently of them thetimeof the star which appeared to them; And sending them into Bethlehem, said: Goand diligently inquire after the child, and when you have found him, bring meword again, that I also may come to adore him. Who having heard the king, wenttheir way; and behold the star which they had seen in the east, went before them,until it came and stood over where the child was. And seeing the star they rejoicedwith exceeding great joy.

(Mt. 2:1-10.)

THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT

And after they were departed, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep toJoseph, saying:Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt: andbe there until I shall tell thee. For it will come to pass that Herod will seek thechild to destroy him.Who arose, and took the child and his mother by night, andretired into Egypt: and he was there until the death of Herod: That it might befulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying:Out of Egypt have I calledmy son.[Hos. 11:1]

(Mt. 2:13-15)

THE MASSACRE OF THE INNOCENTS

Then Herod perceiving that he was deluded by the wise men, was exceedingangry; and sending killed all the men children that were in Bethlehem, and in allthe borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which hehad diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spokenby Jeremias the prophet, saying:A voice in Rama was heard, lamentation andgreat mourning; Rachel bewailing her children, and would not be comforted,because they are not.[Jer. 31:15]

(Mt. 2:16-18)

JESUS WITH THE DOCTORS

And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the solemn day of the pasch, Andwhen he was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem, according to thecustom of the feast, And having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the childJesus remained in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not. And thinking that hewas in the company, they came a day’s journey, and sought him among theirkinsfolks and acquaintance. And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem,seeking him.

And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting inthe midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions. And all thatheard him were astonished at his wisdom and his answers. And seeing him, theywondered. And his mother said to him:Son, why hast thou done so to us? beholdthy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said to them:How is it thatyou sought me? did you not know, that I must be about my father’s business?Andthey understood not the word that he spoke unto them.

And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them.And his mother kept all these words in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom,and age, and grace with God and men.

(Lk. 2:41-52)

JESUS HEALING THE SICK

And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee,and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets: andhe called them. And they forthwith left their nets and father, and followedhim. And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, andpreaching the gospel of the kingdom: and healing all manner of sickness andevery infirmity, among the people. And his fame went throughout all Syria, andthey presented to him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases andtorments, and such as were possessed by devils, and lunatics, and those that hadpalsy, and he cured them.

(Mt. 4:21-24)

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

And much people followed him from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and fromJerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.Blessed are the poor inspirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek: for theyshallpossess the land. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have theirfill. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the clean ofheart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be calledchildren of God. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake: fortheirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that isevil against you, untruly, for my sake: Be glad and rejoice, for your reward isverygreat in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets that were before you. You arethe salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? Itis good for nothing any more but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men. Youare the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither domen light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it mayshine to all that are in the house.

So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorifyyour Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, orthe prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For amen I say unto you, tillheaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all befulfilled. He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, andshallso teach men, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But he that shalldo and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, thatunless your justice abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shallnot enter into the kingdom of heaven.

And when he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.

(Mt 4:25;5:1-20;8:1).

JESUS STILLING THE TEMPEST

And when he entered into the boat, his disciples followed him: And behold a greattempest arose in the sea, so that the boat was covered with waves, but he wasasleep. And they came to him, and awaked him, saying: Lord, save us, we perish.

And Jesus saith to them:Why are you fearful, O ye of little faith?Then rising uphe commanded the winds, and the sea, and there came a great calm. But the menwondered, saying: What manner of man is this, for the winds and the sea obeyhim?

(Mt. 8:23-27)

JESUS HEALING THE MAN POSSESSED WITH A DEVIL

And when they were gone out, behold they brought him a dumb man, possessedwith a devil. And after the devil was cast out, the dumb man spoke, and themultitudes wondered, saying, Never was the like seen in Israel. But the Phariseessaid, By the prince of devils he casteth out devils.

(Mt. 9:32-34)

CHRIST IN THE SYNAGOGUE

And it came to pass: when Jesus had finished these parables, he passed fromthence. And coming into his own country, he taught them in their synagogues, sothat they wondered and said: How came this man by this wisdom and miracles? Isnot this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary, and his brethren James,and Joseph, and Simon, and Jude:

And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence therefore hath he all thesethings? And they were scandalized in his regard. But Jesus said to them:A prophetis not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.And hewrought not many miracles there, because of their unbelief.

(Mt. 13:53-58)

THE DISCIPLES PLUCKING CORN ON THE SABBATH

And it came to pass again, as the Lord walked through the corn fields on thesabbath, that his disciples began to go forward, and to pluck the ears of corn. Andthe Pharisees said to him: Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which isnot lawful? And he said to them:Have you never read what David did when hehad need, and was hungry himself, and they that were with him?

How he went into the house of God, under Abiathar the high priest, and did eat theloaves of proposition, which was not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave tothem who were with him? And he said to them:The sabbath was made for man,and not man for the sabbath. Therefore the Son of man is Lord of the sabbath also.

(Mk. 2:23-28)

JESUS WALKING ON THE SEA

And when he had dismissed them, he went up to the mountain to pray. And whenit was late, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and himself alone on the land. Andseeing them labouring in rowing, (for the wind was against them,) and about thefourth watch of the night, he cometh to them walking upon the sea, and he wouldhave passed by them. But they seeing him walking upon the sea, thought it was anapparition, and they cried out. For they all saw him, and were troubled. Andimmediately he spoke with them, and said to them:Have a good heart, it is I, fearye not.

And he went up to them into the ship, and the wind ceased: and they were farmore astonished within themselves: For they understood not concerning theloaves; for their heart was blinded.

(Mk. 6:46-52)

THE TRANSFIGURATION

And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter and James and John, and leadeththem up into an high mountain apart by themselves, and was transfigured beforethem. And his garments became shining and exceeding white as snow, so as nofuller upon earth can make white. And there appeared to them Elias with Moses;and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter answering, said to Jesus: Rabbi, it isgood for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles, one for thee, and one forMoses, and one for Elias.For he knew not what he said: for they were struck withfear.

And there was a cloud overshadowing them: and a voice came out of the cloud,saying: This is my most beloved son; hear ye him.And immediately lookingabout, they saw no man any more, but Jesus only with them. And as they camedown from the mountain, he charged them not to tell any man what things theyhad seen, till the Son of man shall be risen again from the dead.

(Mk. 9:1-8)

ENTRY OF JESUS INTO JERUSALEM

And when they drew nigh to Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto mountOlivet, then Jesus sent two disciples, Saying to them:Go ye into the village that isover against you, and immediately you shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her:loose them and bring them to me. And if any man shall say anything to you, sayye, that the Lord hath need of them: and forthwith he will let them go.Now allthis was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet,saying: Tell ye the daughter of Sion: Behold thy king cometh to thee, meek, andsitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of her that is used to the yoke.

And the disciples going, did as Jesus commanded them. And they brought the assand the colt, and laid their garments upon them, and made him sit thereon. And avery great multitude spread their garments in the way: and others cut boughs fromthe trees, and strewed them in the way: And the multitudes that went before andthat followed, cried, saying: Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he thatcometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. And when he was comeinto Jerusalem, the whole city was moved, saying: Who is this?

And the people said: This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth of Galilee.

(Mt. 21: 1-11)

CHRIST AND THE TRIBUTE MONEY

And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and of the Herodians; that they shouldcatch him in his words. Who coming, say to him: Master, we know that thou art atrue speaker, and carest not for any man; for thou regardest not the person of men,but teachest the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to give tribute to Cæsar; orshallwe not give it? Who knowing their wiliness, saith to them:Why tempt you me?bring me a penny that I may see it.

And they brought it him. And he saith to them:Whose is this image andinscription?They say to him, Cæsar’s. And Jesus answering, said to them:Rendertherefore to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar’s, and to God the things that areGod’s.And they marvelled at him.

(Mk. 12:13-17)

THE WIDOW’S MITE

And Jesus sitting over against the treasury, beheld how the people cast money intothe treasury, and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poorwidow, and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing. And calling his disciplestogether, he saith to them:Amen I say to you, this poor widow hath cast in morethan all they who have cast into the treasury. For all they did cast in of theirabundance; but she of her want cast in all she had, even her whole living.

(Mk. 12:41-44)

JESUS RAISING UP THE DAUGHTER OF JAIRUS

And there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue named Jairus: and seeinghim, falleth down at his feet. And he besought him much, saying: My daughter isat the point of death, come, lay thy hand upon her, that she may be safe, and maylive. And he went with him, and a great multitude followed him, and theythronged him. And a woman who was under an issue of blood twelve years,

And had suffered many things from many physicians; and had spent all that shehad, and was nothing the better, but rather worse, When she had heard of Jesus,came in the crowd behind him, and touched his garment. For she said: If I shalltouch but his garment, I shall be whole. And forthwith the fountain of her bloodwas dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the evil. Andimmediately Jesus knowing in himself the virtue that had proceeded from him,turning to the multitude, said:Who hath touched my garments?

And his disciples said to him: Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayestthou who hath touched me? And he looked about to see her who had donethis. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, cameand fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said to her:Daughter,thy faith hath made thee whole: go in peace, and be thou whole of thydisease.While he was yet speaking, some come from the ruler of the synagogue’shouse, saying: Thy daughter is dead: why dost thou trouble the master anyfurther?

But Jesus having heard the word that was spoken, saith to the ruler of thesynagogue:Fear not, only believe.And he admitted not any man to follow him,but Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And they come to the houseof the ruler of the synagogue; and he seeth a tumult, and people weeping andwailing much. And going in, he saith to them:Why make you this ado, and weep?the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.And they laughed him to scorn. But hehaving put them all out, taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and themthat were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.

And taking the damsel by the hand, he saith to her:Talitha cumi, which is, beinginterpreted:Damsel (I say to thee) arise.And immediately the damsel rose up, andwalked: and she was twelve years old: and they were astonished with a greatastonishment. And he charged them strictly that no man should know it: andcommanded that something should be given her to eat.

(Mk. 5:22-43)

THE GOOD SAMARITAN

But he willing to justify himself, said to Jesus: And who is my neighbour? AndJesus answering, said:A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, andfell among robbers, who also stripped him, and having wounded him went away,leaving him half dead.

And it chanced, that a certain priest went down the same way: and seeing him,passed by. In like manner also a Levite, when he was near the place and saw him,passed by. But a certain Samaritan being on his journey, came near him; andseeing him, was moved with compassion. And going up to him, bound up hiswounds, pouring in oil and wine: and setting him upon his own beast, brought himto an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two pence, and gaveto the host, and said: Take care of him; and whatsoever thou shalt spend over andabove, I, at my return, will repay thee.

Which of these three, in thy opinion, was neighbour to him that fell among therobbers?But he said:He that shewed mercy to him.And Jesus said to him:Go,and do thou in like manner.

(Lk. 10:29-37)

ARRIVAL OF THE SAMARITAN AT THE INN

But a certain Samaritan being on his journey, came near him; and seeing him,wasmoved with compassion. And going up to him, bound up his wounds, pouring inoil and wine: and setting him upon his own beast, brought him to an inn, and tookcare of him.

(Lk. 10:33-34)

PRODIGAL SON WITH HIS FATHER

So I say to you, there shall be joy before the angels of God upon one sinner doingpenance.

And he said:A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to hisfather: Father, give me the portion of substance that falleth to me. And he dividedunto them his substance. And not many days after, the younger son, gathering alltogether, went abroad into a far country: and there wasted his substance, livingriotously. And after he had spent all, there came a mighty famine in that country;and he began to be in want. And he went and cleaved to one of the citizens of thatcountry. And he sent him into his farm to feed swine.

And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks the swine did eat; and noman gave unto him. And returning to himself, he said: How many hired servantsin my father’s house abound with bread, and I here perish with hunger? I willarise, and will go to my father, and say to him: Father, I have sinned againstheaven, and before thee: I am not worthy to be called thy son: make me as one ofthy hired servants. And rising up he came to his father. And when he was yet agreat way off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and runningto him fell upon his neck, and kissed him.

And the son said to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, Iam not now worthy to be called thy son. And the father said to his servants: Bringforth quickly the first robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, andshoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat andmake merry: Because this my son was dead, and is come to life again: was lost,and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field, andwhen he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing:

And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he saidto him: Thy brother is come, and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because hehath received him safe. And he was angry, and would not go in. His fathertherefore coming out began to entreat him. And he answering, said to his father:Behold, for so many years do I serve thee, and I have never transgressed thycommandment, and yet thou hast never given me a kid to make merry with myfriends: But as soon as this thy son is come, who hath devoured his substance withharlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

But he said to him: Son, thou art always with me, and all I have is thine. But itwas fit that we should make merry and be glad, for this thy brother was dead andis come to life again; he was lost, and is found.

(Lk. 15:10-32)

LAZARUS AT THE RICH MAN’S HOUSE

The law and the prophets were until John; from that time the kingdom of God ispreached, and every one useth violence towards it. And it is easier for heavenandearth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fall. Every one that putteth away hiswife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth her that isput away from her husband, committeth adultery. There was a certain rich man,who was clothed in purple and fine linen; and feasted sumptuously every day. Andthere was a certain beggar, named Lazarus, who lay at his gate, full of sores,

Desiring to be filled with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table, and noone did give him; moreover the dogs came, and licked his sores. And it came topass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom.And the rich man also died: and he was buried in hell. And lifting up his eyeswhen he was in torments, he saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in hisbosom: And he cried, and said: Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and sendLazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, to cool my tongue: for I amtormented in this flame. And Abraham said to him: Son, remember that thou didstreceive good things in thy lifetime, and likewise Lazareth evil things, but now heis comforted; and thou art tormented.

And besides all this, between us and you, there is fixed a great chaos: so that theywho would pass from hence to you, cannot, nor from thence come hither. And hesaid: Then, father, I beseech thee, that thou wouldst send him to my father’shouse, for I have five brethren, That he may testify unto them, lest they also comeinto this place of torments. And Abraham said to him: They have Moses and theprophets; let them hear them. But he said: No, father Abraham: but if one went tothem from the dead, they will do penance.

And he said to him: If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will theybelieve, if one rise again from the dead.

(Lk. 16:19-31)

THE PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICAN

And to some who trusted in themselves as just, and despised others, he spoke alsothis parable:Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee, and theother a publican.

The Pharisee standing, prayed thus with himself: O God, I give thee thanks that Iam not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, as also is this publican. Ifast twice in a week: I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standingafar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven; but struck hisbreast, saying: O God, be merciful to me a sinner. I say to you, this man wentdown into his house justified rather than the other: because every one that exaltethhimself, shall be humbled: and he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted.

(Lk. 18:9-14)

JESUS AND THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA

And he was of necessity to pass through Samaria. He cometh therefore to a city ofSamaria, which is called Sichar, near the land which Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore being wearied with his journey,satthus on the well. It was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria,to draw water. Jesus saith to her:Give me to drink.For his disciples were goneinto the city to buy meats. Then that Samaritan woman saith to him: How dostthou, being a Jew, ask of me to drink, who am a Samaritan woman? For the Jewsdo not communicate with the Samaritans. Jesus answered, and said to her:If thoudidst know the gift of God, and who he is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thouperhaps wouldst have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

The woman saith to him: Sir, thou hast nothing wherein to draw, and the well isdeep; from whence then hast thou living water? Art thou greater than our fatherJacob, who gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and hiscattle? Jesus answered, and said to her:Whosoever drinketh of this water, shallthirst again; but he that shall drink of the water that I will give him, shall not thirstfor ever: But the water that I will give him, shall become in him a fountain ofwater, springing up into life everlasting.The woman saith to him: Sir, give me thiswater, that I may not thirst, nor come hither to draw.

Jesus saith to her:Go, call thy husband, and come hither.The woman answered,and said: I have no husband. Jesus said to her:Thou hast said well, I have nohusband: For thou hast had five husbands: and he whom thou now hast, is not thyhusband. This thou hast said truly.The woman saith to him: Sir, I perceive thatthou art a prophet. Our fathers adored on this mountain, and you say, that atJerusalem is the place where men must adore.

Jesus saith to her:Woman, believe me, that the hour cometh, when you shallneither on this mountain, not in Jerusalem, adore the Father. You adore that whichyou know not: we adore that which we know; for salvation is of the Jews. But thehour cometh, and now is, when the true adorers shall adore the Father in spirit andin truth. For the Father also seeketh such to adore him. God is a spirit; and theythat adore him, must adore him in spirit and in truth.The woman saith to him: Iknow that the Messias cometh (who is called Christ). Therefore, when he iscome,he will tell us all things.

Jesus saith to her:I am he, who am speaking with thee.And immediately hisdisciples came; and they wondered that he talked with the woman. Yet no mansaid: What seekest thou? or, why talkest thou with her? The woman thereforelefther waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men there: Come,and see a man who has told me all things whatsoever I have done. Is not he theChrist? They went therefore out of the city, and came unto him.

(Jn. 4:5-30)

JESUS AND THE WOMAN TAKEN IN ADULTERY

And Jesus went unto mount Olivet. And early in the morning he came again intothe temple, and all the people came to him, and sitting down he taught them. Andthe scribes and the Pharisees bring unto him a woman taken in adultery: and theyset her in the midst, And said to him: Master, this woman was even now taken inadultery. Now Moses in the law commanded us to stone such a one. But whatsayest thou?

And this they said tempting him, that they might accuse him. But Jesus bowinghimself down, wrote with his finger on the ground. When therefore they continuedasking him, he lifted up himself, and said to them:He that is without sin amongyou, let him first cast a stone at her.And again stooping down, he wrote on theground. But they hearing this, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest. AndJesus alone remained, and the woman standing in the midst. Then Jesus lifting uphimself, said to her:Woman, where are they that accused thee? Hath no mancondemned thee?

Who said: No man, Lord. And Jesus said:Neither will I condemn thee. Go, andnow sin no more.

(Jn. 8:1-11)

RESURRECTION OF LAZARUS

For Jesus was not yet come into the town: but he was still in that place whereMartha had met him.

The Jews therefore, who were with her in the house, and comforted her, whenthey saw Mary that she rose up speedily and went out, followed her, saying: Shegoeth to the grave to weep there. When Mary therefore was come where Jesuswas, seeing him, she fell down at his feet, and saith to him: Lord, if thou hadstbeen here, my brother had not died. Jesus, therefore, when he saw her weeping,and the Jews that were come with her, weeping, groaned in the spirit, and troubledhimself, And said:Where have you laid him?They say to him: Lord, come andsee. And Jesus wept.

The Jews therefore said: Behold how he loved him. But some of them said: Couldnot he that opened the eyes of the man born blind, have caused that this manshould not die? Jesus therefore again groaning in himself, cometh to thesepulchre. Now it was a cave; and a stone was laid over it. Jesus saith:Take awaythe stone.Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith to him: Lord, by this timehe stinketh, for he is now of four days. Jesus saith to her:Did not I say to thee,that if thou believe, thou shalt see the glory of God?

They took therefore the stone away. And Jesus lifting up his eyes said:Father, Igive thee thanks that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always;but because of the people who stand about have I said it, that they may believethat thou hast sent me.When he had said these things, he cried with a loud voice:Lazarus, come forth.And presently he that had been dead came forth, bound feetand hands with winding bands; and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesussaid to them:Loose him, and let him go.Many therefore of the Jews, who werecome to Mary and Martha, and had seen the things that Jesus did, believed in him.

(Jn. 11:30-45)

THE LAST SUPPER

And on the first day of the Azymes, the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Wherewilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the pasch? But Jesus said:Go ye into thecity to a certain man, and say to him: the master saith, My time is nearat hand,with thee I make the pasch with my disciples.And the disciples did as Jesusappointed to them, and they prepared the pasch. But when it was evening, he satdown with his twelve disciples.

And whilst they were eating, he said:Amen I say to you, that one of you is aboutto betray me.And they being very much troubled, began every one to say: Is it I,Lord? But he answering, said:He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, heshall betray me. The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe tothat man by whom the Son of man shall be betrayed: it were better for him, if thatman had not been born.And Judas that betrayed him, answering, said: Is it I,Rabbi? He saith to him:Thou hast said it.

And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke: andgave to his disciples, and said:Take ye, and eat. This is my body.And taking thechalice, he gave thanks, and gave to them, saying:Drink ye all of this. For this ismy blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many unto remission ofsins. And I say to you, I will not drink from henceforth of this fruit of the vine,until that day when I shall drink it with you new in the kingdom of myFather.And a hymn being said, they went out unto mount Olivet.

(Mt. 26:17-30)

THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN

And going out, he went, according to his custom, to the mount of Olives. And hisdisciples also followed him. And when he was come to the place, he said to them:Pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

And he was withdrawn away from them a stone’s cast; and kneeling down, heprayed, Saying:Father, if thou wilt, remove this chalice from me: but yet not mywill, but thine be done.And there appeared to him an angel from heaven,strengthening him. And being in an agony, he prayed the longer. And his sweatbecame as drops of blood, trickling down upon the ground. And when he rose upfrom prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow.

And he said to them:Why sleep you? arise, pray, lest you enter into temptation.

(Lk. 22:39-46)

PRAYER OF JESUS IN THE GARDEN OF OLIVES

Then Jesus came with them into a country place which is called Gethsemani;andhe said to his disciples:Sit you here, till I go yonder and pray.And taking withhim Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to grow sorrowful and to besad. Then he saith to them:My soul is sorrowful even unto death: stay you here,and watch with me.And going a little further, he fell upon his face, praying, andsaying:My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Neverthelessnotas I will, but as thou wilt.And he cometh to his disciples, and findeth them asleep,and he saith to Peter:What? Could you not watch one hour with me?

Watch ye, and pray that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing,but the flesh weak.Again the second time, he went and prayed, saying:My Father,if this chalice may not pass away, but I must drink it, thy will be done.And hecometh again and findeth them sleeping: for their eyes were heavy. And leavingthem, he went again: and he prayed the third time, saying the selfsame word. Thenhe cometh to his disciples, and saith to them:Sleep ye now and take your rest;behold the hour is at hand, and the Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands ofsinners.

Rise, let us go: behold he is at hand that will betray me.

(Mt. 26: 36-46)

THE JUDAS KISS

And he cometh the third time, and saith to them:Sleep ye now, and take your rest.It is enough: the hour is come: behold the Son of man shall be betrayed into thehands of sinners. Rise up, let us go. Behold, he that will betray me is at hand.Andwhile he was yet speaking, cometh Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve: and withhima great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribesand the ancients. And he that betrayed him, had given them a sign, saying:Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he; lay hold on him, and lead him awaycarefully. And when he was come, immediately going up to him, he saith: Hail,Rabbi; and he kissed him.

But they laid hands on him, and held him. And one of them that stood by, drawinga sword, struck a servant of the chief priest, and cut off his ear. And Jesusanswering, said to them:Are you come out as to a robber, with swords and stavesto apprehend me? I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not layhands on me. But that the scriptures may be fulfilled.Then his disciples leavinghim, all fled away.

(Mk. 14:41-50)

JESUS SCOURGED

Then he released to them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered himunto them to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor taking Jesus into thehall, gathered together unto him the whole band; And stripping him, they put ascarlet cloak about him. And platting a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head,and a reed in his right hand. And bowing the knee before him, they mocked him,saying: Hail, king of the Jews. And spitting upon him, they took the reed, andstruck his head.

(Mt. 27:26-30)

And so Pilate being willing to satisfy the people, released to them Barabbas, anddelivered up Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.

And the soldiers led him away into the court of the palace, and they calledtogether the whole band: And they clothe him with purple, and platting a crown ofthorns, they put it upon him. And they began to salute him: Hail, king of theJews. And they struck his head with a reed: and they did spit on him. And bowingtheir knees, they adored him. And after they had mocked him, they took off thepurple from him, and put his own garments on him, and they led him out tocrucify him.

(Mk. 15:15-20)

Then therefore, Pilate took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers plattingacrown of thorns, put it upon his head; and they put on him a purple garment. Andthey came to him, and said: Hail, king of the Jews; and they gave himblows. Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith to them: Behold, I bringhimforth unto you, that you may know that I find no cause in him. (Jesus thereforecame forth, bearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment.) And he saith tothem: Behold the Man.

(Jn. 19:1-5)

THE CRUCIFIXION

And they came to the place that is called Golgotha, which is the place ofCalvary. And they gave him wine to drink mingled with gall. And when he hadtasted, he would not drink. And after they had crucified him, they divided hisgarments, casting lots; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet,saying: They divided my garments among them; and upon my vesture they castlots.

And they sat and watched him. And they put over his head his cause written:THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then were crucified with him twothieves: one on the right hand, and one on the left. And they that passed by,blasphemed him, wagging their heads, And saying: Vah, thou that destroyest thetemple of God, and in three days dost rebuild it: save thy own self: if thou be theSon of God, come down from the cross.

In like manner also the chief priests, with the scribes and ancients, mocking,said: He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the king of Israel, let himnow come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; lethim now deliver him if he will have him; for he said: I am the Son of God. Andthe selfsame thing the thieves also, that were crucified with him, reproached himwith.

(Mt. 27:33-44)

THE DARKNESS AT THE CRUCIFIXION

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over the whole earth, until the ninthhour.

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying:Eli, Eli, lammasabacthani? that is,My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?And some thatstood there and heard, said: This man calleth Elias. And immediately one of themrunning took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar; and put it on a reed, and gavehim to drink. And the others said: Let be, let us see whether Elias will come todeliver him. And Jesus again crying with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

And behold the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top even to the bottom,and the earth quaked, and the rocks were rent. And the graves were opened: andmany bodies of the saints that had slept arose, And coming out of the tombs afterhis resurrection, came into the holy city, and appeared to many. Now the centurionand they that were with him watching Jesus, having seen the earthquake, and thethings that were done, were sore afraid, saying: Indeed this was the Son ofGod. And there were there many women afar off, who had followed Jesus fromGalilee, ministering unto him:

Among whom was Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph,and the mother of the sons of Zebedee

(Mt. 27: 45-56)

THE BURIAL OF CHRIST

And when it was evening, there came a certain rich man of Arimathea, namedJoseph, who also himself was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate, and asked thebody of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded that the body should be delivered. AndJoseph taking the body, wrapped it up in a clean linen cloth. And laid it in his ownnew monument, which he had hewed out in a rock. And he rolled a great stone tothe door of the monument, and went his way.

And there was there Mary Magdalen, and the other Mary sitting over against thesepulchre.

(Mt. 27:57-61)

THE RESURRECTION

And in the end of the sabbath, when it began to dawn towards the first day of theweek, came Mary Magdalen and the other Mary, to see the sepulchre. And beholdthere was a great earthquake. For an angel of the Lord descended from heaven,and coming, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. And his countenance was aslightning, and his raiment as snow. And for fear of him, the guards were struckwith terror, and became as dead men. And the angel answering, said to thewomen:Fear not you; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.

He is not here, for he is risen, as he said. Come, and see the place where the Lordwas laid.And going quickly, tell ye his disciples that he is risen: and behold hewill go before you into Galilee; there you shall see him. Lo, I have foretold ittoyou. And they went out quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy,running to tell his disciples.

(Mt. 28:1-8)

JESUS AND THE DISCIPLES GOING TO EMMAUS

And behold, two of them went, the same day, to a town which was sixty furlongsfrom Jerusalem, named Emmaus. And they talked together of all these thingswhich had happened. And it came to pass, that while they talked and reasonedwith themselves, Jesus himself also drawing near, went with them.

But their eyes were held, that they should not know him. And he said to them:What are these discourses that you hold one with another as you walk, and aresad?And the one of them, whose name was Cleophas, answering, said to him: Artthou only a stranger to Jerusalem, and hast not known the things that have beendone there in these days? To whom he said:What things?And they said:Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet, mighty in work and wordbefore God and all the people; And how our chief priests and princes deliveredhim to be condemned to death, and crucified him.

But we hoped, that it was he that should have redeemed Israel: and now besidesall this, today is the third day since these things were done. Yea and certainwomen also of our company affrighted us, who before it was light, were at thesepulchre, And not finding his body, came, saying, that they had also seen a visionof angels, who say that he is alive. And some of our people went to the sepulchre,and found it so as the women had said, but him they found not. Then he said tothem:O foolish, and slow of heart to believe in all things which the prophets havespoken.

Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and so to enter into his glory?Andbeginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded to them in all thescriptures, the things that were concerning him. And they drew nigh to the town,whither they were going: and he made as though he would go farther. But theyconstrained him; saying: Stay with us, because it is towards evening, and the dayis now far spent. And he went in with them. And it came to pass, whilst he was attable with them, he took bread, and blessed, and brake, and gave to them.

And their eyes were opened, and they knew him: and he vanished out of theirsight. And they said one to the other: Was not our heart burning within us, whilsthe spoke in this way, and opened to us the scriptures? And rising up, the samehour, they went back to Jerusalem: and they found the eleven gathered together,and those that were staying with them, Saying: The Lord is risen indeed, and hathappeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way; and how theyknew him in the breaking of the bread.

(Lk. 24:13-35)

THE ASCENSION

And on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to thesepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stonerolled back from the sepulchre. And they remembered his words. And going backfrom the sepulchre, they told all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest.

And behold, two of them went, the same day, to a town which was sixty furlongsfrom Jerusalem, named Emmaus. And they talked together of all these thingswhich had happened.

And rising up, the same hour, they went back to Jerusalem: and they found theeleven gathered together, and those that were staying with them, Saying: The Lordis risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were donein the way; and how they knew him in the breaking of the bread.

Now whilst they were speaking these things, Jesus stood in the midst of them, andsaith to them:Peace be to you; it is I, fear not.

And I send the promise of my Father upon you: but stay you in the city till you beendued with power from on high.And he led them out as far as Bethania: andlifting up his hands, he blessed them.

And it came to pass, whilst he blessed them, he departed from them, and wascarried up to heaven. And they adoring went back into Jerusalem with great joy.

(Lk. 24:1-2, 8-9, 13-14, 33-36, 49-52)

The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, of all things which Jesus began to doand to teach, Until the day on which, giving commandments by the Holy Ghost tothe apostles whom he had chosen, he was taken up. To whom also he shewedhimself alive after his passion, by many proofs, for forty days appearing to them,and speaking of the kingdom of God. And eating together with them, hecommanded them, that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but should wait forthe promise of the Father, which you have heard (saith he) by my mouth.For Johnindeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost, notmany days hence.

They therefore who were come together, asked him, saying: Lord, wilt thou at thistime restore again the kingdom to Israel? But he said to them:It is not for you toknow the times or moments, which the Father hath put in his own power: But youshall receive the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you, and you shall bewitnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to theuttermost part of the earth.And when he had said these things, while they lookedon, he was raised up: and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while theywere beholding him going up to heaven, behold two men stood by them in whitegarments.

(Acts 1:1-10)

THE DECENT OF THE SPIRIT

And when the days of the Pentecost were accomplished, they were all together inone place: And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty windcoming, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appearedto them parted tongues as it were of fire, and it sat upon every one of them: Andthey were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak with diverstongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak.

(Acts 2:1-4)

MARTYRDOM OF ST. STEPHEN

And Stephen, full of grace and fortitude, did great wonders and signs among thepeople. Now there arose some of that which is called the synagogue of theLibertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them that wereof Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist thewisdom and the spirit that spoke.

Then they suborned men to say, they had heard him speak words of blasphemyagainst Moses and against God. And they stirred up the people, and the ancients,and the scribes; and running together, they took him, and brought him to thecouncil. And they set up false witnesses, who said: This man ceaseth not to speakwords against the holy place and the law. For we have heard him say, that thisJesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the traditions whichMoses delivered unto us. And all that sat in the council, looking on him, saw hisface as if it had been the face of an angel.

Then the high priest said: Are these things so? Who said:Ye men, brethren, andfathers, hear. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, when he was inMesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charan.

Now hearing these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed with theirteeth at him. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looking up steadfastly toheaven, saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. Andhe said: Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on theright hand of God.

And they crying out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and with one accord ranviolently upon him.

And at that time there was raised a great persecution against the church which wasat Jerusalem; and they were all dispersed through the countries of Judea, andSamaria, except the apostles.

(Acts 6:8-15; 7:1-2, 54-56; 8:1)

CONVERSION OF SAUL

And Saul, as yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciplesofthe Lord, went to the high priest, And asked of him letters to Damascus, to thesynagogues: that if he found any men and women of this way, he might bringthem bound to Jerusalem. And as he went on his journey, it came to pass that hedrew nigh to Damascus; and suddenly a light from heaven shined round abouthim. And falling on the ground, he heard a voice saying to him:Saul, Saul, whypersecutest thou me?Who said: Who art thou, Lord? And he:I am Jesus whomthou persecutest. It is hard for thee to kick against the goad.

And he trembling and astonished, said: Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Andthe Lord said to him:Arise, and go into the city, and there it shall be told theewhat thou must do.Now the men who went in company with him, stood amazed,hearing indeed a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the ground; andwhen his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. But they leading him by the hands,brought him to Damascus. And he was there three days, without sight, and he didneither eat nor drink. Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, namedAnanias. And the Lord said to him in a vision:Ananias.And he said: Behold I amhere, Lord.

And the Lord said to him:Arise, and go into the street that is called Stait, and seekin the house of Judas, one named Saul of Tarsus. For behold he prayeth.(And hesaw a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hands upon him, that hemight receive his sight.) But Ananias answered: Lord, I have heard by many ofthis man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints in Jerusalem. And here he hathauthority from the chief priests to bind all that invoke thy name. And the Lordsaid to him:Go thy way; for this man is to me a vessel of election, to carry myname before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.

For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake. AndAnanias went his way, and entered into the house. And laying his hands upon him,he said: Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus hath sent me, he that appeared to thee in theway as thou camest; that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled withthe HolyGhost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and hereceivedhis sight; and rising up, he was baptized. And when he had taken meat, he wasstrengthened. And he was with the disciples that were at Damascus, for somedays. And immediately he preached Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son ofGod.

(Acts 9:1-20)

ST. PETER DELIVERED FROM PRISON

And at the same time, Herod the king stretched forth his hands, to afflictsome ofthe church. And he killed James, the brother of John, with the sword. And seeingthat it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to take up Peter also. Now it was in the daysof the Azymes. And when he had apprehended him, he cast him into prison,delivering him to four files of soldiers to be kept, intending, after the pasch, tobring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison. But prayer wasmade without ceasing by the church unto God for him.

And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter wassleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before thedoor kept the prison. And behold an angel of the Lord stood by him: and a lightshined in the room: and he striking Peter on the side, raised him up, saying:Arisequickly. And the chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said to him:Girdthyself, and put on thy sandals.And he did so. And he said to him:Cast thygarment about thee, and follow me.And going out, he followed him, and he knewnot that it was true which was done by the angel: but thought he saw a vision. Andpassing through the first and the second ward, they came to the iron gate thatleadeth to the city, which of itself opened to them. And going out, they passedonthrough one street: and immediately the angel departed from him.

And Peter coming to himself, said:Now I know in very deed, that the Lord hathsent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all theexpectation of the people of the Jews

(Acts 12:1-11)

ST. PAUL AT EPHESUS

And it came to pass, while Apollo was at Corinth, that Paul having passed throughthe upper coasts, came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples. And he said tothem:Have you received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?But they said to him:We have not so much as heard whether there be a Holy Ghost. And he said:Inwhat then were you baptized?Who said: In John’s baptism. Then Paul said:Johnbaptized the people with the baptism of penance, saying: That they should believein him who was to come after him, that is to say, in Jesus.Having heard thesethings, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

And when Paul had imposed his hands on them, the Holy Ghost came upon them,and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. And all the men were abouttwelve. And entering into the synagogue, he spoke boldly for the space of threemonths, disputing and exhorting concerning the kingdom of God. But when somewere hardened, and believed not, speaking evil of the way of the Lord, before themultitude, departing from them, he separated the disciples, disputing daily in theschool of one Tyrannus. And this continued for the space of two years, so that allthey who dwelt in Asia, heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Gentiles.

And God wrought by the hand of Paul more than common miracles. So that eventhere were brought from his body to the sick, handkerchiefs and aprons, and thediseases departed from them, and the wicked spirits went out of them. Now somealso of the Jewish exorcists who went about, attempted to invoke over them thathad evil spirits, the name of the Lord Jesus, saying: I conjure you by Jesus, whomPaul preacheth. And there were certain men, seven sons of Sceva, a Jew, a chiefpriest, that did this. But the wicked spirit, answering, said to them: Jesus I know,and Paul I know; but who are you?

And the man in whom the wicked spirit was, leaping upon them, and masteringthem both, prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked andwounded. And this became known to all the Jews and the Gentiles that dwelt atEphesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus wasmagnified. And many of them that believed, came confessing and declaring theirdeeds. And many of them who had followed curious arts, brought together theirbooks, and burnt them before all; and counting the price of them, they found themoney to be fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God,and was confirmed.

(Acts 19:1-20)

ST. PAUL RESCUED FROM THE MULTITUDE

Do therefore this that we say to thee. We have four men, who have a vow onthem. Take these, and sanctify thyself with them: and bestow on them, that theymay shave their heads: and all will know that the things which they have heard ofthee, are false; but that thou thyself also walkest keeping the law. But astouchingthe Gentiles that believe, we have written, decreeing that they should only refrainthemselves from that which has been offered to idols, and from blood, and fromthings strangles, and from fornication.

Then Paul took the men, and the next day being purified with them, entered intothe temple, giving notice of the accomplishment of the days of purification, untilan oblation should be offered for every one of them. But when the seven dayswere drawing to an end, those Jews that were of Asia, when they saw him in thetemple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands upon him, crying out: Men ofIsrael, help: This is the man that teacheth all men everywhere against the people,and the law, and this place; and moreover hath brought in Gentiles into the temple,and hath violated this holy place. (For they had seen Trophimus the Ephesian inthe city with him, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into thetemple.) And the whole city was in an uproar: and the people ran together. Andtaking Paul, they drew him out of the temple, and immediately the doors wereshut.

And as they went about to kill him, it was told the tribune of the band, That allJerusalem was in confusion. Who, forthwith taking with him soldiers andcenturions, ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiersthey left off beating Paul. Then the tribune coming near, took him, andcommanded him to be bound with two chains: and demanded who he was, andwhat he had done. And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude.And when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him tobe carried into the castle. And when he was come to the stairs, it fell out that hewas carried by the soldiers, because of the violence of the people.

For the multitude of the people followed after, crying: Away with him. And asPaul was about to be brought into the castle, he saith to the tribune:May I speaksomething to thee?Who said: Canst thou speak Greek? Art not thou that Egyptianwho before these days didst raise a tumult, and didst lead forth into the desert fourthousand men that were murderers? But Paul said to him:I am a Jew of Tarsus inCilicia, a citizen of no mean city. And I beseech thee, suffer me to speak to thepeople.And when he had given him leave, Paul standing on the stairs, beckonedwith his hand to the people. And a great silence being made, he spoke unto themin the Hebrew tongue, saying.

(Acts 21:23-40)

ST. PAUL SHIPWRECKED

And when it began to be light, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying:Thisday is the fourteenth day that you have waited, and continued fasting, takingnothing. Wherefore I pray you to take some meat for your health’s sake; for thereshall not an hair of the head of any of you perish.And when he had said thesethings, taking bread, he gave thanks to God in the sight of them all; and when hehad broken it, he began to eat.

Then were they all of better cheer, and they also took some meat. And we were inall in the ship, two hundred threescore and sixteen souls. And when they had eatenenough, they lightened the ship, casting the wheat into the sea. And when it wasday, they knew not the land; but they discovered a certain creek that had a shore,into which they minded, if they could, to thrust in the ship. And when they hadtaken up the anchors, they committed themselves to the sea, loosing withal therudder bands; and hoisting up the mainsail to the wind, they made towards shore.

And when we were fallen into a place where two seas met, they run the shipaground; and the forepart indeed, sticking fast, remained unmoveable: but thehinder part was broken with the violence of the sea. And the soldiers’ counsel was,that they should kill the prisoners, lest any of them, swimming out, shouldescape. But the centurion, willing to save Paul, forbade it to be done; and hecommanded that they who could swim, should cast themselves first into the sea,and save themselves, and get to land. And the rest, some they carried on boards,and some on those things that belonged to the ship. And so it came to pass, thatevery soul got safe to land.

(Acts 27:33-44)

And when we had escaped, then we knew that the island was called Melita. Butthe barbarians shewed us no small courtesy. For kindling a fire, they refreshed usall, because of the present rain, and of the cold.

(Acts 28:1-2)

THE VISION OF DEATH

And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth livingcreature, saying: Come, and see. And behold a pale horse, and he that sat uponhim, his name was Death, and hell followed him. And power was given to himover the four parts of the earth, to kill with sword, with famine, and with death,and with the beasts of the earth.

(Ap. 6:7-8)

THE FINAL JUDGEMENT

And I saw a great white throne, and one sitting upon it, from whose face the earthand heaven fled away, and there was no place found for them. And I saw the dead,great and small, standing in the presence of the throne, and the books wereopened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the deadwere judged by those things which were written in the books, according to theirworks. And the sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and hell gave uptheir dead that were in them; and they were judged every one according to theirworks. And hell and death were cast into the pool of fire. This is the second death.And whosoever was not found written in the book of life, was cast into the pool offire.

(Ap. 20:11-15)

LK. 4:16-21AND HE CAME TO NAZARETH, WHERE HE WAS BROUGHT UP: AND HEWENT TO THE SYNAGOGUE , ACCORDING TO HIS CUSTOM, ON THE SABBATHDAY; AND HE ROSE UP TO READ. AND THE BOOK OF ISAIAS THE PROPHETWAS DELIVERED UNTO HIM . AND AS HE UNFOLDED THE BOOK , HE FOUNDTHE PLACE WHERE IT WAS WRITTEN : THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPONME. WHEREFORE HE HATH ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TOTHE POOR, HE HATH SENT ME TO HEAL THE CONTRITE OF HEART , TOPREACH DELIVERANCE TO THE CAPTIVES , AND SIGHT TO THE BLIND , TO SETAT LIBERTY THEM THAT ARE BRUISED , TO PREACH THE ACCEPTABLE YEAROF THE LORD, AND THE DAY OF REWARD . AND WHEN HE HAD FOLDED THEBOOK , HE RESTORED IT TO THE MINISTER , AND SAT DOWN. AND THE EYESOF ALL IN THE SYNAGOGUE WERE FIXED ON HIM . AND HE BEGAN TO SAYTO THEM : THIS DAY IS FULFILLED THIS SCRIPTURE IN YOUR EARS . (c. f. IS.61:1-2)