29 him.

28 me. And leaving all, he arose and followed And Levi made him a great feast in his own house and there was a great company of publicans, and of others who sat down 30 with them. But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? 31 And Jesus answering, said unto them, They

who are whole need not a physician; but 32 they who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.*

33

And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast often, and make prayers, but thine eat and drink? 34 And he said unto them, Can ye make the

children of the bride-chamber fast, while the 35 bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

36

And he also addressed to them this similitude: No man putteth a piece of new garment upon an old if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old. 37 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles,†

else the new wine will burst the bottles, and 38 be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But

*The Savior was full of compassion to sinners, and promised them pardon on repentance: Yet his doetrines are most pure and holy. He discovers no favor towards those who continue in sin.

+ The bottles were large leather bags, and new wine by fermentation would be likely to burst them.

new wine must be put into new bottles; and 39 both are preserved. No man also having drunken old wine, immediately desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.

1

CHAP. VI.

AND it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn-fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their 2 hands. And some of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to 3 do on the sabbath-days? And Jesus answering them, said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was 4 hungry, and they who were with him? How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shew-bread, and gave also to them that were with him; which is not lawful to eat, but for the priests alone? And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also 6 of the sabbath. And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue, and taught: and there was a man 7 whose right hand was withered: And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath-day; that they

5

* Learned men are not agreed in construing this expression. It probably has reference to some arrangement or appellation of the sabbath among the Jews relative to some of their festivals. It might be the second sabbath after the first day of the passover.

8 might find an accusation against him.* But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood 9 forth. Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbathdays to do good, or to do evil? to save life, 10 or to destoy it? And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand 11 was restored whole as the other. And they were filled with madness,† and consulted one 12 with another what they might do to Jesus. And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.t

13

And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples and of them he chose twelve, 14 whom also he named Apostles: Simon (whom he also named Peter) and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bar15 tholomew; Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon called Zelotes; 16 and Judas the brother of James; and Judas Iscariot, who also was the traitor.

*The Pharisees were very superstitions. They condemned Jesus for performing miracles of mercy upon the afflicted, on the sabbath. They must have been confounded and ashamed when he inquired of them if they did not labor on that day for the comfort of the brutes ?

They could not answer his queries, and yet they were determined to oppose him.

If Jesus found the advantage of prayer, how much more important should it be considered for man, who is so liable to err, and so much exposed to temptation ?

17

And he came down with them, and stood in the plain; and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of the people, out of all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the sea-coasts of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him, 18 and to be healed of their diseases, and they who were vexed with unclean spirits and 19 they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch him for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.

20

And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed are ye poor for yours is 21 the kingdom of God.* Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall rejoice. 22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and

when they shall avoid you, and shall reproach 23 and defame you for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and triumph for behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in like manner did their fathers treat the prophets. 24 But wo unto you who are rich for ye have 25 received your consolation. Wo unto you

who are full for ye shall hunger. Wo unto you who laugh now:† for ye shall mourn 26 and weep. Wo unto you when men shall speak well of you: for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

27 But I say unto you who hear, Love your

*This is the substance of the Lord's sermon from the mount, which Matthew more fully gives, and contains three chapters, the fifth, sixth and seventh.

Indulge to levity and merriment: and are inconsiderate and devoted to worldly pleasures.

enemies, do good to them who hate you. 28 Bless them who curse you, and pray for them 29 who despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one check, offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak, 30 forbid not to take thy coat also.* Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. 31 And as ye would that men should do to you, 32 do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love

them who love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. 33 And if ye do good to them who do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do 34 even the same. And if ye lend to them of

whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as 35 much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Most High: for he is kind unto the unthankful, and to the evil. 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also 37 is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be

judged condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive and ye shall be forgiven: 38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure with which ye mete, it shall be measured to you

These expressions are not to be understood literally. They inculeate a pacific and forgiving spirit.