American Standard Version of 1901
Versliste
And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.
And when he knew that he was of Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him unto Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem in these days.
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, {Greek: Magi. Compare Esther 1:13; Daniel 2:12; Acts 13:6, 8.}Wise-men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,
There was in the days of Herod, king of Judæa, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abijah: and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the {Greek: Magi. Compare Esther 1.13; Daniel 2.12; Acts 13.6, 8.}Wise-men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the male children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had exactly learned of the {Greek: Magi. Compare Esther 1.13; Daniel 2.12; Acts 13.6, 8.}Wise-men.
At that season Herod the tetrarch heard the report concerning Jesus,
But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judæa in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither; and being warned of God in a dream, he withdrew into the parts of Galilee,
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cæsar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judæa, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituræa and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,
For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cæsar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judæa, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituræa and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,
and when {Some ancient authorities read his daughter Herodias.}the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, {Or, it}she pleased Herod and them that sat at meat with him; and the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.
Now about that time Herod the king put forth his hands to afflict certain of the church.
And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. And those were the days of unleavened bread.
And when he had taken him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to guard him; intending after the Passover to bring him forth to the people.
Peter therefore was kept in the prison: but prayer was made earnestly of the church unto God for him.
And when Herod was about to bring him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and guards before the door kept the prison.
And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shined in the cell: and he smote Peter on the side, and awoke him, saying, Rise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And he did so. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
And he went out, and followed; and he knew not that it was true which was done {Greek: through.}by the angel, but thought he saw a vision.
And when they were past the first and the second guard, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth into the city; which opened to them of its own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and straightway the angel departed from him.
And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a truth, that the Lord hath sent forth his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together and were praying.
And when he knocked at the door of the gate, a maid came to answer, named Rhoda.
And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for joy, but ran in, and told that Peter stood before the gate.
And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she confidently affirmed that it was even so. And they said, It is his angel.
But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened, they saw him, and were amazed.
But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him forth out of the prison. And he said, Tell these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went to another place.
Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.
And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the guards, and commanded that they should be {Greek: led away to death.}put to death. And he went down from Judæa to Cæsarea, and tarried there.
Now he was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: and they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was fed from the king's country.
And upon a set day Herod arrayed himself in royal apparel, and sat on the {Or, judgement-seat See Matthew 27:19.}throne, and made an oration unto them.
And the people shouted, saying, The voice of a god, and not of a man.
And immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
But the word of God grew and multiplied.
And Barnabas and Saul returned {Many ancient authorities read to Jerusalem.}from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministration, taking with them John whose surname was Mark.
Now about that time Herod the king put forth his hands to afflict certain of the church.
And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. And those were the days of unleavened bread.
And when he had taken him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to guard him; intending after the Passover to bring him forth to the people.
Peter therefore was kept in the prison: but prayer was made earnestly of the church unto God for him.
And when Herod was about to bring him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and guards before the door kept the prison.
And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shined in the cell: and he smote Peter on the side, and awoke him, saying, Rise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And he did so. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
And he went out, and followed; and he knew not that it was true which was done {Greek: through.}by the angel, but thought he saw a vision.
And when they were past the first and the second guard, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth into the city; which opened to them of its own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and straightway the angel departed from him.
And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a truth, that the Lord hath sent forth his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together and were praying.
And when he knocked at the door of the gate, a maid came to answer, named Rhoda.
And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for joy, but ran in, and told that Peter stood before the gate.
And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she confidently affirmed that it was even so. And they said, It is his angel.
But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened, they saw him, and were amazed.
But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him forth out of the prison. And he said, Tell these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went to another place.
Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.
And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the guards, and commanded that they should be {Greek: led away to death.}put to death. And he went down from Judæa to Cæsarea, and tarried there.
Now he was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: and they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was fed from the king's country.
And upon a set day Herod arrayed himself in royal apparel, and sat on the {Or, judgement-seat See Matthew 27:19.}throne, and made an oration unto them.
And the people shouted, saying, The voice of a god, and not of a man.
And immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
But the word of God grew and multiplied.
And Barnabas and Saul returned {Many ancient authorities read to Jerusalem.}from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministration, taking with them John whose surname was Mark.
Festus therefore, {Or, having entered upon his province}having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Cæsarea.
And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they besought him,
asking a favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem; laying a plot to kill him on the way.
Howbeit Festus answered, that Paul was kept in charge at Cæsarea, and that he himself was about to depart thither shortly.
Let them therefore, saith he, that are of power among you go down with me, and if there is anything amiss in the man, let them accuse him.
And when he had tarried among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down unto Cæsarea; and on the morrow he sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded Paul to be brought.
And when he was come, the Jews that had come down from Jerusalem stood round about him, bringing against him many and grievous charges which they could not prove;
while Paul said in his defense, Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Cæsar, have I sinned at all.
But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?
But Paul said, I am standing before Cæsar's judgment-seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou also very well knowest.
If then I am a wrong-doer, and have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die; but if none of those things is true whereof these accuse me, no man can {Greek: grant me by favor.}give me up unto them. I appeal unto Cæsar.
Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Thou hast appealed unto Cæsar: unto Cæsar shalt thou go.
Now when certain days were passed, Agrippa the King and Bernice arrived at Cæsarea, {Or, having saluted}and saluted Festus.
And as they tarried there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the King, saying, There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix;
about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for sentence against him.
To whom I answered, that it is not the custom of the Romans to {Greek: grant me by favor.}give up any man, before that the accused have the accusers face to face, and have had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him.
When therefore they were come together here, I made no delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded the man to be brought.
Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such evil things as I supposed;
but had certain questions against him of their own {Or, superstition}religion, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
And I, being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, asked whether he would go to Jerusalem and there be judged of these matters.
But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of {Greek: the Augustus.}the emperor, I commanded him to be kept till I should send him to Cæsar.
And Agrippa said unto Festus, I also {Or, was wishing}could wish to hear the man myself. To-morrow, saith he, thou shalt hear him.
So on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and they were entered into the place of hearing with the {Or, military tribune Greek: chiliarch.}chief captains and principal men of the city, at the command of Festus Paul was brought in.
And Festus saith, King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, ye behold this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews made suit to me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.
But I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death: and as he himself appealed to {Greek: the Augustus.}the emperor I determined to send him.
Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I may have somewhat to write.
For it seemeth to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not withal to signify the charges against him.
And Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth his hand, and made his defence:
I think myself happy, king Agrippa, that I am to make my defence before thee this day touching all the things whereof I am accused by the Jews:
{Or, because thou art especially expert }especially because thou art expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
My manner of life then from my youth up, which was from the beginning among mine own nation and at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;
having knowledge of me from the first, if they be willing to testify, that after the straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
And now I stand here to be judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers;
unto which promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. And concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, O king!
Why is it judged incredible with you, if God doth raise the dead?
I verily thought with myself that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
And this I also did in Jerusalem: and I both shut up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, and when they were put to death I gave my vote against them.
And punishing them oftentimes in all the synagogues, I strove to make them blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto foreign cities.
{Or, On which errand}Whereupon as I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests,
at midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them that journeyed with me.
And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying unto me in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against {Greek: goads.}the goad.
And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
But arise, and stand upon thy feet: for to this end have I appeared unto thee, to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of the things {Many ancient authorities read which thou hast seen.}wherein thou hast seen me, and of the things wherein I will appear unto thee;
delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom I send thee,
to open their eyes, {Or, to turn them}that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me.
Wherefore, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
but declared both to them of Damascus first and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judæa, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of {Or, their repentance}repentance.
For this cause the Jews seized me in the temple, and assayed to kill me.
Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand unto this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses did say should come;
{Or, if Or, whether}how that the Christ {Or, is subject to suffering}must suffer, and {Or, if Or, whether}how that he first by the resurrection of the dead should proclaim light both to the people and to the Gentiles.
And as he thus made his defence, Festus saith with a loud voice, Paul, thou art mad; thy much learning {Greek: turneth thee to madness.}is turning thee mad.
But Paul saith, I am not mad, most excellent Festus; but speak forth words of truth and soberness.
For the king knoweth of these things, unto whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things is hidden from him; for this hath not been done in a corner.
King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
And Agrippa said unto Paul, {Or, In a little time thou &c.}With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian.
And Paul said, I would to God, that whether with little or with much, not thou only, but also all that hear me this day, might become such as I am, except these bonds.
And the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:
and when they had withdrawn, they spake one to another, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.
And Agrippa said unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Cæsar.
But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, {Greek: his own wife.}his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.
And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.
It is actually reported that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not even among the Gentiles, that one of you hath his father's wife.
And {Or, are ye puffed up?}ye are puffed up, and {Or, did ye not rather mourn…you?}did not rather mourn, that he that had done this deed might be taken away from among you.
For I verily, being absent in body but present in spirit, have already as though I were present judged him that hath so wrought this thing,
in the name of our Lord Jesus, ye being gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus,
to deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord {Some ancient authorities omit Jesus.}Jesus.
Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
Purge out the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, even as ye are unleavened. For our passover also hath been sacrificed, even Christ:
wherefore let us {Greek: keep festival.}keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
I wrote unto you in my epistle to have no company with fornicators;
{Or, not altogether with the fornicators &c.}not at all meaning with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous and extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world:
but {Or, now I write}as it is, I wrote unto you not to keep company, if any man that is named a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no, not to eat.
For what have I to do with judging them that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within?
But them that are without God judgeth. Put away the wicked man from among yourselves.
Dare any of you, having a matter against {Greek: the other. See Romans 13:8.}his neighbor, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?
Or know ye not that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world is judged by you, are ye unworthy {Greek: of the smallest tribunals.}to judge the smallest matters?
Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more, things that pertain to this life?
If then ye have {Greek: tribunals pertaining to.}to judge things pertaining to this life, {Or, set them…church}do ye set them to judge who are of no account in the church?
I say this to move you to shame. {Or, Is it so, that there cannot &c.}What, cannot there be found among you one wise man who shall be able to decide between his brethren,
but brother goeth to law with brother, and that before unbelievers?
Nay, already it is altogether {Or, a loss to you}a defect in you, that ye have lawsuits one with another. Why not rather take wrong? why not rather be defrauded?
Nay, but ye yourselves do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.
Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men,
nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
And such were some of you: but ye {Greek: washed yourselves.}were washed, but ye were sanctified, but ye were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.
All things are lawful for me; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful for me; but I will not be brought under the power of any.
Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall bring to nought both it and them. But the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body:
and God both raised the Lord, and will raise up us through his power.
Know ye not that your bodies are members of Christ? shall I then take away the members of Christ, and make them members of a harlot? God forbid.
Or know ye not that he that is joined to a harlot is one body? for, {Genesis 2:24.}The twain, saith he, shall become one flesh.
But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
Or know ye not that your body is a {Or, sanctuary}temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God? and ye are not your own;
for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body.
Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness?
And what concord hath Christ with {Greek: Beliar.}Belial? or what portion hath a believer with an unbeliever?
And what agreement hath a {Or, santuary}temple of God with idols? for we are a {Or, santuary}temple of the living God; even as God said, {Leviticus 26:12; Exodus 29:45; Ezekiel 37:27; Jeremiah 31:1.}I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Wherefore {Isaiah 52:11.}Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate,saith the Lord,And touch no unclean thing;And I will receive you,
{Hosea 1:10; Isaiah 43:6.}And will be to you a Father,And ye shall be to me sons and daughters,saith the Lord Almighty.
At that season Herod the tetrarch heard the report concerning Jesus,
and said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore do these powers work in him.
For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.
For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.
And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst, and pleased Herod.
Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she should ask.
And she, being put forward by her mother, saith, Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.
And the king was grieved; but for the sake of his oaths, and of them that sat at meat with him, he commanded it to be given;
and he sent and beheaded John in the prison.
And his head was brought on a platter, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.
And his disciples came, and took up the corpse, and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.
Now when Jesus heard it, he withdrew from thence in a boat, to a desert place apart: and when the multitudes heard thereof, they followed him {Greek: by land.}on foot from the cities.
And king Herod heard thereof; for his name had become known: and he said, John the Baptizer is risen from the dead, and therefore do these powers work in him.
But others said, It is Elijah. And others said, It is a prophet, even as one of the prophets.
But Herod, when he heard thereof, said, John, whom I beheaded, he is risen.
For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her.
For John said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.
And Herodias set herself against him, and desired to kill him; and she could not;
for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was much perplexed; and he heard him gladly.
And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, and the {Or, military tribunes Greek: chiliarchs.}high captains, and the chief men of Galilee;
and when {Some ancient authorities read his daughter Herodias.}the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, {Or, it}she pleased Herod and them that sat at meat with him; and the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.
And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.
And she went out, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptizer.
And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou forthwith give me on a platter the head of John the Baptist.
And the king was exceeding sorry; but for the sake of his oaths, and of them that sat at meat, he would not reject her.
And straightway the king sent forth a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring his head: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the damsel; and the damsel gave it to her mother.
And when his disciples heard thereof, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.
for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was much perplexed; and he heard him gladly.
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, {Greek: Magi. Compare Esther 1:13; Daniel 2:12; Acts 13:6, 8.}Wise-men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,
{Or, Where is the King of the Jews that is born?}Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east, and are come to {The Greek word denotes an act of reverence whether paid to a creature (see chapter 4:9; 18:26), or to the Creator (see chapter 4:10)}worship him.
And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ should be born.
And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written through the prophet,
{Micah 5:2.}And thou Bethlehem, land of Judah,Art in no wise least among the princes of Judah:For out of thee shall come forth a governor,Who shall be shepherd of my people Israel.
Then Herod privily called the {Greek: Magi. Compare Esther 1:13; Daniel 2:12; Acts 13:6, 8.}Wise-men, and learned of them exactly {Or, the time of the star that appeared}what time the star appeared.
And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search out exactly concerning the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word, that I also may come and {The Greek word denotes an act of reverence whether paid to a creature (see chapter 4:9; 18:26), or to the Creator (see chapter 4:10)}worship him.
And they, having heard the king, went their way; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Now when they were departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I tell thee: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
And he arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt;
and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, {Hosea 11:1.}Out of Egypt did I call my son.
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the {Greek: Magi. Compare Esther 1.13; Daniel 2.12; Acts 13.6, 8.}Wise-men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the male children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had exactly learned of the {Greek: Magi. Compare Esther 1.13; Daniel 2.12; Acts 13.6, 8.}Wise-men.
Then was fulfilled that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying,
{Jeremiah 31:15.}A voice was heard in Ramah,Weeping and great mourning,Rachel weeping for her children;And she would not be comforted, because they are not.
But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying,
Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead that sought the young child's life.
And he arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judæa in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither; and being warned of God in a dream, he withdrew into the parts of Galilee,
and came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets, {Isaiah 11.1 in the Hebrew?}that he should be called a Nazarene.
I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there is none greater than John: yet he that is {Greek: lesser.}but little in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
The fear of man bringeth a snare;But whoso putteth his trust in Jehovah {Hebrew: shall be set on high.}shall be safe.
א ALEPH.Blessed are they that are {Or, upright in way}perfect in the way,Who walk in the law of Jehovah.
Blessed are they that keep his testimonies,That seek him with the whole heart.
Yea, they do no unrighteousness;They walk in his ways.
Thou hast commanded us thy precepts,That we should observe them diligently.
Oh that my ways were establishedTo observe thy statutes!
Then shall I not be put to shame,When I have respect unto all thy commandments.
I will give thanks unto thee with uprightness of heart,When I learn thy righteous judgments.
I will observe thy statutes:Oh forsake me not utterly.
ב BETH.Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way?By taking heed thereto according to thy word.
With my whole heart have I sought thee:Oh let me not wander from thy commandments.
Thy word have I laid up in my heart,That I might not sin against thee.
Blessed art thou, O Jehovah:Teach me thy statutes.
With my lips have I declaredAll the ordinances of thy mouth.
I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies,As much as in all riches.
I will meditate on thy precepts,And have respect unto thy ways.
I will delight myself in thy statutes:I will not forget thy word.
ג GIMEL.Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live;So will I observe thy word.
Open thou mine eyes, that I may beholdWondrous things out of thy law.
I am a sojourner in the earth:Hide not thy commandments from me.
My soul breaketh for the longingThat it hath unto thine ordinances at all times.
Thou hast rebuked the proud {Or, Cursed are they that &c.}that are cursed,That do wander from thy commandments.
Take away from me reproach and contempt;For I have kept thy testimonies.
Princes also sat and talked against me;But thy servant did meditate on thy statutes.
Thy testimonies also are my delightAnd {Hebrew: the men of my counsel.}my counsellors.
ד DALETH.My soul cleaveth unto the dust:Quicken thou me according to thy word.
I declared my ways, and thou answeredst me:Teach me thy statutes.
Make me to understand the way of thy precepts:So shall I meditate on thy wondrous works.
My soul {Hebrew: droppeth.}melteth for heaviness:Strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
Remove from me the way of falsehood;And grant me thy law graciously.
I have chosen the way of faithfulness:Thine ordinances have I set before me.
I cleave unto thy testimonies:O Jehovah, put me not to shame.
I will run the way of thy commandments,When thou shalt enlarge my heart.
ה HE.Teach me, O Jehovah, the way of thy statutes;And I shall keep it unto the end.
Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law;Yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Make me to go in the path of thy commandments;For therein do I delight.
Incline my heart unto thy testimonies,And not to covetousness.
Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity,And quicken me in thy ways.
Confirm unto thy servant thy word, {Or, Who is devoted to}Which is in order unto the fear of thee.
Turn away my reproach whereof I am afraid;For thine ordinances are good.
Behold, I have longed after thy precepts:Quicken me in thy righteousness.
ו VAV.Let thy lovingkindnesses also come unto me, O Jehovah,Even thy salvation, according to thy word.
So shall I have an answer for him that reproacheth me;For I trust in thy word.
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth;For I have hoped in thine ordinances.
So shall I observe thy law continuallyFor ever and ever.
And I shall walk at liberty;For I have sought thy precepts.
I will also speak of thy testimonies before kings,And shall not be put to shame.
And I will delight myself in thy commandments,Which I have loved.
I will lift up my hands also unto thy commandments, which I have loved;And I will meditate on thy statutes.
ז ZAYIN.Remember the word unto thy servant, {Or, Wherein}Because thou hast made me to hope.
This is my comfort in my affliction; {Or, That}For thy word hath quickened me.
The proud have had me greatly in derision:Yet have I not swerved from thy law.
I have remembered thine ordinances of old, O Jehovah,And have comforted myself.
{Or, Horror}Hot indignation hath taken hold upon me,Because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
Thy statutes have been my songsIn the house of my pilgrimage.
I have remembered thy name, O Jehovah, in the night,And have observed thy law.
This I have had, {Or, That}Because I have kept thy precepts.
ח HHETH. {Or, Jehovah is my portion, have I said: That may observe &c.}Jehovah is my portion:I have said that I would observe thy words.
I entreated thy favor with my whole heart:Be merciful unto me according to thy word.
I thought on my ways,And turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
I made haste, and delayed not,To observe thy commandments.
The cords of the wicked have wrapped me round;But I have not forgotten thy law.
At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto theeBecause of thy righteous ordinances.
I am a companion of all them that fear thee,And of them that observe thy precepts.
The earth, O Jehovah, is full of thy lovingkindness:Teach me thy statutes.
ט TETH.Thou hast dealt well with thy servant,O Jehovah, according unto thy word.
Teach me good judgment and knowledge;For I have believed in thy commandments.
Before I was afflicted I went astray;But now I observe thy word.
Thou art good, and doest good;Teach me thy statutes.
The proud have forged a lie against me:With my whole heart will I keep thy precepts.
Their heart is as fat as grease;But I delight in thy law.
It is good for me that I have been afflicted;That I may learn thy statutes.
The law of thy mouth is better unto meThan thousands of gold and silver.
י YODH.Thy hands have made me and {Or, established}fashioned me:Give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
They that fear thee shall see me and be glad,Because I have hoped in thy word.
I know, O Jehovah, that thy judgments are righteous,And that in faithfulness thou hast afflicted me.
Let, I pray thee, thy lovingkindness be for my comfort,According to thy word unto thy servant.
Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live;For thy law is my delight.
Let the proud be put to shame; for they have overthrown me {Or, with falsehood}wrongfully:But I will meditate on thy precepts.
Let those that fear thee turn unto me; {Anothing reading is, Even they that know.}And they shall know thy testimonies.
Let my heart be perfect in thy statutes,That I be not put to shame.
כ KAPH.My soul fainteth for thy salvation;But I hope in thy word.
Mine eyes fail for thy word,While I say, When wilt thou comfort me?
For I am become like a wine-skin in the smoke;Yet do I not forget thy statutes.
How many are the days of thy servant?When wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
The proud have digged pits for me,Who are not according to thy law.
All thy commandments are faithful:They persecute me {Or, with falsehood}wrongfully; help thou me.
They had almost consumed me upon earth;But I forsook not thy precepts.
Quicken me after thy lovingkindness;So shall I observe the testimony of thy mouth.
ל LAMEDH.For ever, O Jehovah,Thy word is settled in heaven.
Thy faithfulness is unto all generations:Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
{Or, As for thine ordinances, they abide this day}They abide this day according to thine ordinances;For all things are thy servants.
Unless thy law had been my delight,I should then have perished in mine affliction.
I will never forget thy precepts;For with them thou hast quickened me.
I am thine, save me;For I have sought thy precepts.
The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me;But I will consider thy testimonies.
I have seen an end of all perfection;But thy commandment is exceeding broad.
מ MEM.Oh how love I thy law!It is my meditation all the day.
{Or, Thou through thy commandments makest}Thy commandments make me wiser than mine enemies;For they are ever with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers;For thy testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the aged,Because I have kept thy precepts.
I have refrained my feet from every evil way,That I might observe thy word.
I have not turned aside from thine ordinances;For thou hast taught me.
How sweet are thy words unto my {Hebrew: palate.}taste!Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through thy precepts I get understanding:Therefore I hate every false way.
נ NUN.Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,And light unto my path.
I have sworn, and have confirmed it,That I will observe thy righteous ordinances.
I am afflicted very much:Quicken me, O Jehovah, according unto thy word.
Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill-offerings of my mouth, O Jehovah,And teach me thine ordinances.
My soul is continually in my hand;Yet do I not forget thy law.
The wicked have laid a snare for me;Yet have I not gone astray from thy precepts.
Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage for ever;For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutesFor ever, even unto the end.
ס SAMEKH.I hate them that are of a double mind;But thy law do I love.
Thou art my hiding-place and my shield:I hope in thy word.
Depart from me, ye evil-doers,That I may keep the commandments of my God.
Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live;And let me not be ashamed of my hope.
Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe,And shall have respect unto thy statutes continually.
Thou hast set at nought all them that err from thy statutes;For their deceit is {Or, vain}falsehood.
Thou {Hebrew: causest to cease.}puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross:Therefore I love thy testimonies.
My flesh trembleth for fear of thee;And I am afraid of thy judgments.
ע AYIN.I have done justice and righteousness:Leave me not to mine oppressors.
Be surety for thy servant for good:Let not the proud oppress me.
Mine eyes fail for thy salvation,And for thy righteous word.
Deal with thy servant according unto thy lovingkindness,And teach me thy statutes.
I am thy servant; give me understanding,That I may know thy testimonies.
It is time for Jehovah to work;For they have made void thy law.
Therefore I love thy commandmentsAbove gold, yea, above fine gold.
Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right;And I hate every false way.
פ PE.Thy testimonies are wonderful;Therefore doth my soul keep them.
The opening of thy words giveth light;It giveth understanding unto the simple.
I opened wide my mouth, and panted;For I longed for thy commandments.
Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me,As thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
Establish my footsteps in thy word;And let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Redeem me from the oppression of man:So will I observe thy precepts.
Make thy face to shine upon thy servant;And teach me thy statutes.
Streams of water run down mine eyes,Because they observe not thy law.
צ TSADHE.Righteous art thou, O Jehovah,And upright {Or, in thy judgements}are thy judgments.
Thou hast commanded thy testimonies in righteousnessAnd very faithfulness.
My zeal hath {Hebrew: cut me off.}consumed me,Because mine adversaries have forgotten thy words.
Thy word is very {Hebrew: tried, or, refined.}pure;Therefore thy servant loveth it.
I am small and despised;Yet do I not forget thy precepts.
Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,And thy law is truth.
Trouble and anguish have {Or, found me}taken hold on me;Yet thy commandments are my delight.
Thy testimonies are righteous for ever:Give me understanding, and I shall live.
ק QOPH.I have called with my whole heart; answer me, O Jehovah:I will keep thy statutes.
I have called unto thee; save me,And I shall observe thy testimonies.
I anticipated the dawning of the morning, and cried:I hoped in thy words.
Mine eyes anticipated the night-watches,That I might meditate on thy word.
Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness:Quicken me, O Jehovah, {Or, as thou art wont}according to thine ordinances.
They draw nigh {Or, that persecute me with wickedness}that follow after wickedness;They are far from thy law.
Thou art nigh, O Jehovah;And all thy commandments are truth.
Of old have I known from thy testimonies,That thou hast founded them for ever.
ר RESH.Consider mine affliction, and deliver me;For I do not forget thy law.
Plead thou my cause, and redeem me:Quicken me according to thy word.
Salvation is far from the wicked;For they seek not thy statutes.
Great are thy tender mercies, O Jehovah:Quicken me according to thine ordinances.
Many are my persecutors and mine adversaries;Yet have I not swerved from thy testimonies.
I beheld the treacherous, and {Or, loathed them}was grieved,Because they observe not thy word.
Consider how I love thy precepts:Quicken me, O Jehovah, according to thy lovingkindness.
The sum of thy word is truth;And every one of thy righteous ordinances endureth for ever.
שׁ SHIN.Princes have persecuted me without a cause;But my heart standeth in awe of thy words.
I rejoice at thy word,As one that findeth great spoil.
I hate and abhor falsehood;But thy law do I love.
Seven times a day do I praise thee,Because of thy righteous ordinances.
Great peace have they that love thy law;And they have no occasion of stumbling.
I have hoped for thy salvation, O Jehovah,And have done thy commandments.
My soul hath observed thy testimonies;And I love them exceedingly.
I have observed thy precepts and thy testimonies;For all my ways are before thee.
ת TAV.Let my cry come near before thee, O Jehovah:Give me understanding according to thy word.
Let my supplication come before thee:Deliver me according to thy word.
Let my lips utter praise;For thou teachest me thy statutes.
Let my tongue sing of thy word;For all thy commandments are righteousness.
Let thy hand be ready to help me;For I have chosen thy precepts.
I have longed for thy salvation, O Jehovah;And thy law is my delight.
Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee;And let thine ordinances help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant;For I do not forget thy commandments.
And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God: