CHAPTER 31: The Bread of Life and the Living Vine.
Jesus Rebukes the Thoughtless Driver.
1.Again Jesus said, "I am (1997: become) the true bread and the living vine. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness and are dead. This is the food of God which comes down from heaven, that whosoever eat thereof will not die. I am (1997 become) the living food which came down from heaven. If any eat of this food they will live for ever; and the bread that I will give is my truth; and the wine which I will give is my life."
2.And the Jews strove amongst themselves, saying, "How can this man give us himself for food?" Then Jesus said, "Do you think that I speak of the eating of flesh, which you ignorantly do in the temple of God?"
3.My body is the substance of God; and this is meat indeed, and my blood is the life of God; and this is drink indeed. Not as your ancestors; they craved for flesh, and God gave them flesh in his wrath, and they ate of corruption until it stank in their nostrils, and their carcasses fell by the thousand in the wilderness by reason of the plague.
4.Of such it is written, "They shall wander nine and forty years in the wilderness till they are purified from their lusts, ere they enter into the land of rest, yea, seven times seven years shall they wander because they have not know my ways, neither obeyed my laws."
5."But they who eat this flesh and drink this blood dwell in me and I in them. As the Father-Mother of life has sent me, and by whom I live, so they that eat of me who am the truth and the life, even they shall live by me."
6.This is that living bread which coming down from heaven gives life to the world, not as your ancestors did eat manna and are dead. They that eat of this bread and this fruit, shall live forever." These things said He.
7.When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples murmured at it, He said to them, "Does this offend you? What if you shall see the Son and Daughter of man ascend to where they were before? It is the spirit that quickens, the flesh and blood profit nothing. The words that I speak to you, they are spirit and they are life."
8."But there are some of you who do not believe." (Jesus knew from the beginning who would believe him and who would betray him.) He said to them, "No one can come to me, except it were given from above."
9.From that time many of His disciples returned and walked no more with Him. Then said Jesus to the twelve, "Will you also go away?"
10.Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. And we believe and we are sure that you are that Christ, a Son of the Living God."
11.Jesus answered them, "Have I not chosen you twelve, and one also who is a traitor?" He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon the Levite, for he it was who should betray him.
12.And Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem. There came a camel heavy laden with wood; and the camel could not drag it up the hill to the destination, because of the weight; and the driver beat him and cruelly ill-treated him, but he could make him go no further.
13.And Jesus seeing this, said to him, "Why do you beat your (1997 lesser) brother?" And the man answered, "I don't perceive the camel to be my brother, is he not a beast of burden and made to serve me?"
14.And Jesus said, "Has the same God not made the camel and your children, who serve you, of the same substance? And don't you have one breath of life which you received from God?"
15.And the man marveled much at this saying, and he ceased beating the camel, and took off some of the burden. The camel walked up the hill as Jesus went before him, and stopped no more until he ended his journey.
16.And the camel knew Jesus, having felt the love of God in him. And the man inquired further of the doctrine, and Jesus taught him gladly and he became His disciple.
CHAPTER 32: Good the Food and Drink of All.
1.And it came to pass as He sat at supper with His disciples, one of them said to Him, " Master, how is it that you say that you will give your flesh to eat and your blood to drink? Those are harsh words to many?"
2.And Jesus answered, "The words which I spoke to you are spirit and they are life. To the ignorant and the carnal-minded they savor of blood-shed and death, but blessed are they who understand."
3."Behold the corn which grows up into ripeness and is cut down, and ground in the mill, and baked with fire into bread! Of this bread is my body which you see, made; and lo the grapes which grow on the vine to ripeness, and are plucked and crushed in the wine press and yield the fruit of the vine! Of this fruit of the vine and of water is my blood made."
4."For of the fruits of the trees and the seeds of the herbs alone do I partake, and these are changed by the spirit into my flesh and my blood. Of these alone and their like will you who believe in me eat, and be my disciples, for of these, in the spirit, come life and health and healing to man."
5.Truly my presence will be with you in the substance and life of God, manifested in this body, and this blood; and of these will you all, who believe in me, eat and drink."
6."For in all places will I be raised for the life of the world. As it is written in the prophets, "From the rising sun to the setting of the same, in every place a pure oblation with incense will be offered to my name.'"
7."As in the natural so in the spiritual. My doctrine and my life will be meat and drink to you--the Bread of Life and the Wine of Salvation."
9."I say to you, in the beginning, all creatures of God did find their sustenance in the herbs and the fruits of the earth alone, till the ignorance and the selfishness of man turned many of them from the use which God had given them, to that which was contrary to their original use, but even these shall yet return to their natural food, as it is written in the prophets, and their words shall not fail."
10."God always gives eternal life and substance to renew the forms of the universe. It is therefore of the flesh and blood, even the substance and life of the eternal, that you are partaking; and my words are spirit and they are life."
11."And if you keep my commandments and live the life of the righteous, you will be happy in this life, and in that which is to come. Do not marvel therefore that I said to you, except you eat of the flesh and drink of the blood of God, you have no life in you." (1997 translation instead reads: "If you keep The Commandments and live in The Way of The Law...")
12.And the disciples responded, "Lord, ever more give us to eat of this bread, and to drink of this cup, for your words are meat and drink indeed. May we live through your life and substance forever."
CHAPTER 33: The Shedding of Blood of Others
is No Remission of Sins.
1.Jesus was teaching His disciples in the outer court of the temple and one of them said to Him, "Master, it is said by the priests that without shedding of blood there is no remission. Can then the blood offerings of the laws take away sin?"
2.And Jesus answered, "No blood offering, of beast or bird, or man, can take away sin. For how can the conscience be purged from sin by the shedding of innocent blood? Nay, it will increase the condemnation."
3."The priests indeed receive such offerings as a reconciliation of the worshippers for the trespasses against (1997 "that which they believe to be) the Law of Moses; but for sins against the Law of God there can be no remission, save by repentance and amendment."
4.Is it not written in the prophets, "Put your blood sacrifices to your burnt offerings, and away with them, and cease from the eating flesh. I did not speak to your fathers nor commanded them, concerning these things, when I brought them out of Egypt. But this thing I commanded saying,
5."Obey my voice and walk in the ways that I have commanded you, and you will be my people, and it shall be well with you. But they did not listen, nor inclined their ear."
6."And what doth the eternal command you, but to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God? Is it not written that in the beginning God ordained the fruits of the trees and the seeds and the herbs to be food for all flesh?"
7."But they have made the house of prayer a den of thieves, and for the oblation with incense, they have polluted my altars with blood, and eaten of the flesh of the slain."
8."But I say to you, shed no innocent blood nor eat flesh. Walk upright, love mercy, and do justly, and your days shall be long in the land."
9."The corn that grows from the earth with the other grain, is it not transmuted by the spirit into my flesh? The grapes of the vineyard, with the other fruits, are they not transmuted by the spirit into my blood? Let these, with your bodies and souls be your memorial to the eternal."
10."In these is the presence of God manifest as the substance and as the life of the world. Of these will you eat and drink for the remission of sins, and for eternal life, to all who obey my words."
11.Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market, a pool which is called Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, half withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
12.For at a certain season, an angel went down into the pool and troubled the water; who so ever went first into the waters was made whole of whatever disease he had. And a man impotent from his birth was there.
13.And Jesus said to him, "Don't the waters bring healing? He said to Him, "Yea, Lord. But when the water is troubled, I have no man to put me in, and while I am trying to come, another steps down before me." And Jesus said to him "Arise, take up your bed and walk. And immediately he rose and walked. And on the same day was the Sabbath."
14.The Jews therefore said to him, "It is the Sabbath. It is not lawful for you to carry your bed." And he that was healed did not know that it was Jesus. And Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.
CHAPTER 34: Love of Jesus for All Creatures.
1.When Jesus knew how the Pharisees had murmured and complained because he made and baptized more disciples than John, he left Judæa, and departed again into Galilee.
2.And Jesus came to a certain tree and lived beneath it many days. And there came Mary Magdalen and other women and ministered to Him of their substance, and He taught daily all that came to Him.
3.And the birds gathered around Him, and welcomed Him with their song, and other living creatures came to His feet, and He fed them, and they ate out of His hands.
4.And when He departed He blessed the women who showed love to him and turning to the fig tree, he blessed it also, saying, "You have given me shelter and shade from the burning heat, and with all you have given me food also."
5."Be blessed, increase and be fruitful, and let all who come to you, find rest and shade and food, and let the birds of the air rejoice in your branches."
6.And behold the tree grew and flourished exceedingly; and its branches took root downward, and sent shoots upward, and it spread mightily, so that no tree was like to it for its size and beauty, and the abundance and goodness of its fruit.
7.And as Jesus entered into a certain village He saw a young cat which had none to care for her, and she was hungry and cried to Him, and He took her up, and put her inside his garment, and she lay on His bosom.
8.And when He came into the village He set food and drink before the cat, and she ate and drank, and showed thanks to Him. And He gave her to one of his disciples, who was a widow, whose name was Lorenza, and she took care of her.
9.And some of the people said, "This man cares for all creatures. Are they his brothers and sisters that he should love them?" And He said to them, "these are your fellow creatures of the great household of God. Yea, they are your brothers and sisters, having the same breath of life in the eternal."
10."And whosoever cares for one of the least of these, and gives it to eat and drink in its need, does the same to me. And who so willingly suffers one of these to be in want, and defends it not when evilly entreated, does the evil to me. For as you have done in this life, so shall it be done to you in the life to come."
CHAPTER 35: The Good Law. Mary and Martha
1.And behold a certain lawyer stood up and tempted Him, saying, "Master, what shall I do to gain eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read it?"
2.And he answered, "Don't do to others what you don't want them to do to you. Love your God with all your heart and all your mind and all your soul. Do to others as you would have them do to you..
3.And He said to him, "You have answered correctly. Do this and you will live; All the law and the prophets depend on these three commandments. For who loves God, loveth his neighbor."
4.But he, willing to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" And Jesus answered, (1997 adds: "Even every living thing on the face of the Earth")
5."A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way, and when he saw him he passed by on the one side. And likewise a Levite also came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side."
6."But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him he had compassion upon him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him."
7.And the next day when he departed he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said, "Take care of him and whatsoever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you."
8.Which now of these three, do you think, was neighbor to him that fell among thieves?" And he said, "He that showed mercy on him." Then said Jesus to him, "Go, and do likewise."
9.Now it came to pass, as they went, that He entered into a certain village, and a woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
10.But Martha was upset about having to serve so much, and came to Him saying, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Instruct her to come and help me."
11.And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are careful and concerned about many things, but one thing is necessary, Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."
12.Again, As Jesus sat at supper with His disciples in a certain city, He said to them, "As a table set upon twelve pillars, so am I in the midst of you."
13.I say to you, "Wisdom builds her house and hews out her twelve pillars. She prepares her bread and her oil, and mingle her wine. She furnishes her table."
14."And she stands on the high places of the city, and cries to the sons and the daughters of men, Whosoever will, let them turn this way, let them eat of my bread and take of my oil, and drink of my wine."
15."Forsake the foolish and live, and go in the way of understanding. The veneration of God is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the holy One is understanding. By me will your days be multiplied, and the years of your life will be increased."
CHAPTER 36: The Woman Taken in Adultery
1.On a certain day, early in the morning, Jesus came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him, and He sat down and taught them.
2.And the scribes and Pharisees brought to him a woman taken in adultery. When they had set her in the middle, they said to him, "Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the Law commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do you say?"
3.This they said, tempting Him, that they might have something to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down, and with this finger wrote on the ground, as though He did not hear them.
4.So when they continued asking Him, He raised himself, and said to them, "He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her."
5.And again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. And they who heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the eldest, even to the last; and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
6.When Jesus had raised himself, and saw none but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you? She said to Him, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn thee. Henceforth sin more; go in peace."
7.And He spoke this parable to certain people who trusted that they were righteous, and despised others: "Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a rich Pharisee, learned in the law, and the other a tax gatherer, who was a sinner."
8."The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, "God, I thank you, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax gatherer. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.'"
9."And the tax gatherer, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven, but beat upon his breast, saying, "God be merciful to me a sinner."
10."I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one that exalts himself will be humbled; and he that humbles himself will be exalted."
CHAPTER 37: The Re-Generation of the Soul
1.Jesus sat in the porch of the temple, and some came to learn His doctrine, and one said to Him, "Master, what do you teach concerning life?"
3."They who have suffered and have overcome will be made pillars of the temple of my God, and they will go out no more. I say to you, except you be born again of water and of fire, you cannot see the kingdom of God."
4.And a certain Rabbi, Nicodemus, came to Him by night for fear of the Jews, and said to Him, "How can a man be born again when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born again?"
5.Jesus answered "Except a man be born again of flesh and of spirit, he can not enter into the kingdom of God. The wind blows where it lists, and you hear the sound of it, but can not tell from where it comes or to where it goes."
6."The light shines from the East even to the West; out of the darkness. The sun rises and sets into darkness again; so is it with man, from the ages to the ages."
7."When it cometh from the darkness, it is that he has lived before, and when it goes down again into darkness, it is that he may rest for a little, and there after again exist."
8."So through many changes must you be made perfect, as it is written in the book of Job, 'I am a wanderer, changing place after place and house after house, until I come into the city and mansion which is eternal.'"
9.And Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" And Jesus answered , "You are a teacher in Israel, and do not understand these things? Truly, we speak that which we know, and bear witness to that which we have seen, and you do not receive our witness."
10."If I tell you of earthly things, and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you of heavenly things? No one ascends into heaven, unless they descended out of heaven, even the son or daughter of man which is in Heaven."
CHAPTER 38: Jesus Condemns the Ill-Treatment of Animals
1.And some of his disciples came and told him of a certain Egyptian, a son of Belial, who taught that it was lawful to torment animals, if their sufferings brought any profit to men.
2.And Jesus said to them, "They, whose hands are stained with blood, or whose mouths are defiled with flesh, or they who partake of benefits which are gotten by wronging one of God's creatures, cannot be righteous; nor can they touch holy things, or teach the mysteries of the kingdom."
3."God gives the grains and the fruits of the earth for food; and for righteous man truly there is no other lawful sustenance for the body."
4."The robber who breaks into the house made by man is guilty, but they who break into the house made by God, even of the least of these are the greater sinners. Wherefore I say to all who desire to be my disciples, keep your hands from bloodshed and let no flesh meat enter your mouths, for God is just and bountiful, who ordains that man shall live by the fruits and seeds of the earth alone."
5.But if any animal suffer greatly; and if its life be a misery to it, or if it be dangerous to you, release it from its life quickly, and with as little pain as you can. Send it forth in love and mercy. Don't torment it. God the "Father-Mother" will show mercy to you, as you have shown mercy to those given into your hands."
6."And what so ever you do to the least of these, my children, you do it to me. For I am in them and they are in me. Yea, I am in all "creatures" and all creatures are in me. In all their joys I rejoice, in all their afflictions I am afflicted. Wherefore I say to you, be kind one to another, and to all the creatures of god."
7.And it came to pass the day after, that He came into a city called "Nain" ; and many of his "disciples" went with Him, and many people.
8.Now when He came near to the gate of the city, behold there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and many people of the city were with her.
9.And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion upon her, and said to her, "Weep not, thy son sleeps." And he came and touched the bier; and they that bare him stood still. And He said, "Young man, arise."
10.And he that was esteemed dead sat up, and began to speak. And He delivered him to his mother. And there came an awe upon all; and they glorified God, saying, "A great "prophets" is risen up among us;"
And, "God has visited his people."
CHAPTER 39: Seven Parables of the Kingdom of Heaven
1.Again Jesus was sitting under the "fig tree" , and His "disciples" gathered round Him, and, round them came a multitude of people to hear Him, and He said to them, "To what shall I liken the "kingdom" of heaven?
2.And he spoke this parable, "The "kingdom" of heaven is like a certain seed, small among "seeds" . One takes and sows this seed in the field. When it is grown it becomes a great tree which sends its branches all around. These branches shoot downward into the earth to take root. They grow upward, till the field is covered by the tree. The birds of the air come and lodge in its branches and the "creatures" of the earth find shelter beneath it."
3."He offered another parable to them, saying, "The "kingdom" of heaven is like a great treasure hid in a field. When one finds this treasure one hides it, and for joy thereof goes and sells all that one has to buy that field, knowing how great will be the wealth there from."
4."Again the "kingdom" of heaven is like one very valuable pearl, which is found by a merchant seeking goodly pearls. The merchant finding it, sells all that he has to buys the pearl, knowing how much more valuable it is than what he paid for it.
5."The "kingdom" of Heaven is like a woman who takes of the incorruptible leaven and hides it in three measures of meal, until the whole is leavened, and being baked by fire, becomes one loaf. Or, again, to one who takes a measure of pure wine, and pours it into two or four measures of water, until the whole being mingled becometh the fruit of the vine."
6."The "kingdom" of heaven is like to a city built four-square on the top of a high hill, and established on a rock, and strong in its surrounding wall, and its towers and its gates, which lie to the north, and to the south, and to the east, and to the west. Such a city does not fall, neither can it to be hidden. Its gates are open to all, who, having the keys, will enter therein."
7.And he spoke another parable, saying, "The "kingdom" of heaven is like to food seed that someone sowed in their field, but in the night, while their slept, their enemy came and sowed noxious weeds among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade sprung up and brought forth fruit in the ear, there appeared the noxious weed also."
8."And the servants of the household came to ask, did you not sow good seed in your field? Why does it have noxious weeds? And they were, "An enemy has done this."
9.And the servants said, "Do you want us to weed the field?" They wee told, "Nay, in case while you are weeding the tares, you root up the good wheat with them."
10."Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, "Gather up first the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them and enrich the soil, but gather the wheat into my barn."
11.And again He spoke, saying, "The "kingdom" of heaven is like the sowing of seed. Behold a sower went forth to sow, and as he sowed, some "seeds" fell by the wayside, and the fowls of the air came and devoured them."
12."And others fell upon rocky places without much earth, and instantly they sprang up because they had no deepness of earth, and when the sun was high they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away."
13."And others fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. And others fell upon good ground, ready prepared, and yielded fruit, some a hundred fold, some sixty, some thirty." They who have ears to hear let them hear."
CHAPTER 40: Jesus Expounds His Inner
Teaching to the Twelve
1.And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do you speak in parables to the multitude?" He answered, "Because it is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given."
2."For who so ever has, to him will be given, and he will have more abundance; but whosoever has not, from him will be taken away even that which he seems to have."
3."So I speak to them in parables, because they seeing, see not, and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand."
4."For in them is fulfilled, the prophecy of Esaias, which says, "Hearing you will hear and will not understand; and seeing you will see and will not perceive; for this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and they have closed their eyes, lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted and I should heal them."
5."But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear, and your hearts for they understand. I say to you, many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which you see, and have not seen them, and to hear those things which you hear, and have not heard them."
6.Then Jesus sent the multitude away and His disciples came to Him, saying, "Declare to us the parable of the field;" and He answered, "He that sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, the good seed are the children of the kingdom, but the noxious weeds are the children of the wicked one. The enemy that sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the world, and the reapers are the angels ."
7."As therefore the noxious weeds are gathered and burned in the fire, so will it be at the end of the world. The Son of Man will send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity, and shall cast them into a furnace of fire, and they who will not be purified will be utterly consumed. Then will the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of heaven."
8."Hear also the parable of the sower. The seed that falls by the wayside are like the unheard words of the kingdom. One hears but does not understand these heavenly seeds. Then the wicked one comes and catches away that which was sown in ones heart. These are they the ones who receive seed by the wayside."
9."And they that received the seed into stony places, the same are they that hear the word and immediately receive it with joy. Yet they are not well rooted in themselves but endure only a while. When tribulation or persecution arise because of the word, by and by they are offended."
10."They who received seed among the thorns are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and they become unfruitful."
11."But they that receive the seed into the good ground, are they who hear the word and understand it, who also bear fruit and bring forth, some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred fold."
12."These things I declare to you of the inner circle; but to those of the outer in parables. Let them hear who have ears to hear."