lect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the utmost part of heaven.

28. Now, learn a parable of the fig-tree: When. its branch is yet tender, and puts forth leaves, ye know that summer is near; 29. So likewise when ye shall see these things, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.

30. Verily I tell you, This generation shall not pass till all these things (concerning the destruc tion of Jerusalem) be done. 31. Heaven and earth shall pass away; but my words shall not pass away.

32. ¶ But no man knoweth of that day and hour, nor even the angels in heaven, neither the Son, (as Son of man) but the Father. 33. Take heed, watch and pray; for ye know not when the time is. 34. For the Son of man is as one taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

35. Watch ye, therefore; for ye know not when the master of the house cometh; at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning; 36. Lest coming suddenly, he find you sleeping (unconcerned). 37. And what I say to you, I say to all, Watch.

CHAP. XIV.

A CONSPIRACY AGAINST CHRIST.

AFTER two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests. and scribes sought to take him by craft, and put him to death. 2. But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.

3. ¶ And, being in Bethany, in the house of Simon, formerly a leper, as he sat at meat, a woman came, having an alabaster box of very costly ointment of liquid nard; and she brake open the box, and poured it on his head.

4. But some had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste made of the ointment. 5. For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and given to the poor. So they murmured against her.

6. But Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. 7. For ye have the poor with you always, and whenever ye will ye may do them good; but me ye havei not always. 8. She hath done what she could; she hath beforehand anointed my body for the burying. 9. Verily I tell you, Wherever this gospel shall be preached thro' the whole world, this also that she' hath done shall be spoken of, for a memorial of her.

10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests, to betray him to them.

11. And hearing it they were glad, and promised to give him money. So he sought how to do it conveniently.

12. Now the first day of unleavened bread,* when they sacrificed the passover, his disciples said to him, Where shall we go and prepare for thee to eat the passover.

13. Then he sendeth two of his disciples, saying to them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him. 14. And wherever he goes in, say ye to the householder, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I may eat the passover with my disciples? 15. And he will shew you a large upperroom furnished and prepared; there make ready for

us.

16. So his disciples went into the city, and found as he had said; so they made ready the pass

over.

17. And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.

18. And as they sat and ate, Jesus said, Verily

I tell you, One of you who eateth with me shall betray me.

19. Then they began to be sorrowful, and say to him one by one, Is it I?

20. Then he said to them, It is one of the twelve that dippeth with me in the dish. 21. The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him; but wo to that man by whom he is betrayed! it were better for him that he had never been born.

22. And, as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave it to them, saying, Take, eat; this is my body. (See Matth. xxvi. 26.) 23. Then he took the cup; and, having given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24. Then he said to them, This is my blood of the new covenant, shed for many. 25. Verily I tell you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, till the day I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

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Then having sung an hymn, they went out to the mount of Olives.

27. Then Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended on my account this night; for it is written, I will smite the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. 28. But after I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.

29. But Peter said to him, tho' all should be offended, yet will not I.

30. Then Jesus said to him, Verily I tell thee, That this very night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.

31. But he spake the more vehemently, saying, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee at all. Likewise also said they all.

32. Then they came to a place named Gethsemane and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here while I pray.

33. Then he taketh with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be greatly amazed, and full of

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anguish; 34. And saith to them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death. Tarry ye here, and watch.

35. Then he went forward a little, and falling on the ground, prayed, that if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him.

36. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee; take away this cup from me; yet, not what I will, but what thou wilt.

37. Then he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith to Peter, Simon, sleepest thou! couldest thou not watch one hour? 38. Watch, and pray, lest ye enter into temptation: the spirit, indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

39. He went away again, and prayed, saying, the same words.

40. And returning he found them asleep again; for their eyes were heavy; and they knew not what to answer him.

41. Then he cometh the third time, and saith to them, Do ye now sleep, and take your rest. It is done, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42. Rise, let us go; lo, the traitor is at hand.

43. And immediately, while he spake, Judas, one of the twelve cometh, with a great multitude, with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, scribes, and elders.

44. Now the traitor gave them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he; take him, and lead him away safely.

45. And coming, he went straightway to him, and saith, Master, Master; and kissed him. 46. Then they apprehended him.

47. But one of his disciples drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his

ear.

48. Then Jesus said to them, Are ye come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs, to take

.

me? 49. I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled. 50. Then all his disciples forsook him and fled.

51. Now a certain young man followed him, (suddenly raised out of his sleep by the hubbub), having a linen cloth cast about his naked body, and the young men (the soldiers) seized him (to rob him): 52. Then he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

53. Now they led Jesus away to the high priest; with whom were assembled all the chief priests, and the elders, and the scribes.

54. Now Peter followed him at a distance, even into the high priest's palace, and sat with the officers, warming himself at the fire.

55. Now the chief priests, and all the council, sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; but found none. 56. For many bare false witness against him; but their witness agreed not to the purpose.

57. Then some arose, and falsely witnessed against him, saying, 58. We heard him say, I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another without hands. But neither was their testimony sufficient.

59.

60. Then the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing to what these witness against thee?

61. But he was silent. Again the high priest asked him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?

62. Then Jesus said, I am, and ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

63. Then the high priest rent his clothes, and said, What further need have we of witnesses? 64. Ye have heard the blasphemy? what think ye?