Matthew 23

1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds, and to his disciples,

2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have sat down in the chair of Moses.

3 Therefore, all things whatsoever that they shall say to you, observe and do. Yet truly, do not choose to act according to their works. For they say, but they do not do.

4 For they bind up heavy and unbearable burdens, and they impose them on men’s shoulders. But they are not willing to move them with even a finger of their own.

5 Truly, they do all their works so that they may be seen by men. For they enlarge their phylacteries and glorify their hems.

6 And they love the first places at feasts, and the first chairs in the synagogues,

7 and greetings in the marketplace, and to be called Master by men.

8 But you must not be called Master. For One is your Master, and you are all brothers.

9 And do not choose to call anyone on earth your father. For One is your Father, who is in heaven.

10 Neither should you be called teachers. For One is your Teacher, the Christ.

11 Whoever is greater among you shall be your minister.

12 But whoever has exalted himself, shall be humbled. And whoever has humbled himself, shall be exalted.

13 So then: Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! For you close the kingdom of heaven before men. For you yourselves do not enter, and those who are entering, you would not permit to enter.

14 Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! For you consume the houses of widows, praying long prayers. Because of this, you shall receive the greater judgment.

15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! For you travel around by sea and by land, in order to make one convert. And when he has been converted, you make him twice the son of Hell that you are yourselves.

16 Woe to you, blind guides, who say: ‘Whoever will have sworn by the temple, it is nothing. But whoever will have sworn by the gold of the temple is obligated.’

17 You are foolish and blind! For which is greater: the gold, or the temple that sanctifies the gold?

18 And you say: ‘Whoever will have sworn by the altar, it is nothing. But whoever will have sworn by the gift that is on the altar is obligated.’

19 How blind you are! For which is greater: the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift?

20 Therefore, whoever swears by the altar, swears by it, and by all that is on it.

21 And whoever will have sworn by the temple, swears by it, and by him who dwells in it.

22 And whoever swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God, and by him who sits upon it.

23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! For you collect tithes on mint and dill and cumin, but you have abandoned the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, while not omitting the others.

24 You blind guides, straining out a gnat, while swallowing a camel!

25 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! For you clean what is outside the cup and the dish, but on the inside you are full of avarice and impurity.

26 You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the dish, and then what is outside becomes clean.

27 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed sepulchers, which outwardly appear brilliant to men, yet truly, inside, they are filled with the bones of the dead and with all filth.

28 So also, you certainly appear to men outwardly to be just. But inwardly you are filled with hypocrisy and iniquity.

29 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites, who build the sepulchers of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the just.

30 And then you say, ‘If we had been there in the days of our fathers, we would not have joined with them in the blood of the prophets.’

31 And so you are witnesses against yourselves, that you are the sons of those who killed the prophets.

32 Complete, then, the measure of your fathers.

33 You serpents, you brood of vipers! How will you escape from the judgment of Hell?

34 For this reason, behold, I send to you prophets and wisemen, and scribes. And some of these you will put to death and crucify; and some you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city,

35 so that upon you may fall all the blood of the just, which has been shed upon the earth, from the blood of Abel the just, even to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you killed between the temple and the altar.

36 Amen I say to you, all these things shall fall upon this generation.

37 Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets and stone those who have been sent to you. How often I have wanted to gather your children together, in the way that a hen gathers her young under her wings. But you were not willing!

38 Behold, your house shall be abandoned to you, having been deserted.

39 For I say to you, you shall not see me again, until you say: ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’ “

Matthew 24

1 And Jesus departed from the temple and went away. And his disciples approached him, so as to show him the buildings of the temple.

2 But he said to them in response: “Do you see all these things? Amen I say to you, there shall not remain here stone upon stone, which is not torn down.”

3 Then, when he was seated at the Mount of Olives, the disciples drew near to him privately, saying: “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of your advent and of the consummation of the age?”

4 And answering, Jesus said to them: “Pay attention, lest someone lead you astray.

5 For many will come in my name saying, ‘I am the Christ.’ And they will lead many astray.

6 For you will hear of battles and rumors of battles. Take care not to be disturbed. For these things must be, but the end is not so soon.

7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be pestilences, and famines, and earthquakes in places.

8 But all these things are just the beginning of the sorrows.

9 Then they will hand you over to tribulation, and they will kill you. And you will be hated by all nations for the sake of my name.

10 And then many will be led into sin, and will betray one another, and will have hatred for one another.

11 And many false prophets will arise, and they will lead many astray.

12 And because iniquity has abounded, the charity of many will grow cold.

13 But whoever will have persevered until the end, the same shall be saved.

14 And this Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached throughout the entire world, as a testimony to all nations. And then the consummation will occur.

15 Therefore, when you will have seen the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place, may he who reads understand,

16 then those who are in Judea, let them flee to the mountains.

17 And whoever is on the roof, let him not descend to take anything from his house.

18 And whoever is in the field, let him not turn back to take his tunic.

19 So then, woe to those who are pregnant or nursing in those days.

20 But pray that your flight may not be in winter, or on the Sabbath.

21 For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until the present, and such as will not be.

22 And unless those days had been shortened, no flesh would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days shall be shortened.

23 Then if anyone will have said to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘he is there,’ do not be willing to believe it.

24 For there will arise false Christs and false prophets. And they will produce great signs and wonders, so much so as to lead into error even the elect (if this could be).

25 Behold, I have warned you beforehand.

26 Therefore, if they will have said to you, ‘Behold, he is in the desert,’ do not choose to go out, or, ‘Behold, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not be willing to believe it.

27 For just as lightning goes out from the east, and appears even in the west, so shall it be also at the advent of the Son of man.

28 Wherever the body shall be, there also will the eagles be gathered together.

29 And immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

30 And then the sign of the Son of man shall appear in heaven. And then all tribes of the earth shall mourn. And they shall see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven, with great power and majesty.

31 And he shall send out his Angels with a trumpet and a great voice. And they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the heights of the heavens, even to their furthest limits.

32 So, from the fig tree learn a parable. When its branch has now become tender and the leaves have sprung forth, you know that summer is near.

33 So also, when you will have seen all these things, know that it is near, even at the threshold.

34 Amen I say to you, that this lineage shall not pass away, until all these things have been done.

35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

36 But concerning that day and hour, no one knows, not even the Angels of the heavens, but only the Father.

37 And just as in the days of Noah, so also will be the advent of the Son of man.

38 For it will be just as it was in the days before the flood: eating and drinking, marrying and being given in marriage, even until that day when Noah entered into the ark.

39 And they did not realize it, until the flood came and took them all away. So also will the advent of the Son of man be.

40 Then two men will be in a field: one will be taken up, and one will be left behind.

41 Two women will be grinding at a millstone: one will be taken up, and one will be left behind.

42 Therefore, be vigilant. For you do not know at what hour your Lord will return.

43 But know this: if only the father of the family knew at what hour the thief would arrive, he would certainly keep vigil and not permit his house to be broken into.

44 For this reason, you also must be prepared, for you do not know at what hour the Son of man will return.

45 Consider this: who is a faithful and prudent servant, who has been appointed by his lord over his family, to give them their portion in due time?

46 Blessed is that servant, if, when his lord has arrived, he shall find him doing so.

47 Amen I say to you, he shall appoint him over all of his goods.

48 But if that evil servant has said in his heart, ‘My lord has been delayed in returning,’

49 and so, he begins to strike his fellow servants, and he eats and drinks with the inebriated:

50 then the lord of that servant will arrive on a day that he does not expect, and at an hour that he does not know.

51 And he shall separate him, and he shall place his portion with the hypocrites, where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Matthew 25

1 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be like ten virgins, who, taking their lamps, went out to meet the groom and the bride.

2 But five of them were foolish, and five were prudent.

3 For the five foolish, having brought their lamps, did not take oil with them.

4 Yet truly, the prudent ones brought the oil, in their containers, with the lamps.

5 Since the bridegroom was delayed, they all fell asleep, and they were sleeping.

6 But in the middle of the night, a cry went out: ‘Behold, the groom is arriving. Go out to meet him.’

7 Then all those virgins rose up and trimmed their lamps.

8 But the foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give to us from your oil, for our lamps are being extinguished.’

9 The prudent responded by saying, ‘Lest perhaps there may not be enough for us and for you, it would be better for you to go to the vendors and buy some for yourselves.’

10 But while they were going to buy it, the groom arrived. And those who were prepared entered with him to the wedding, and the door was closed.

11 Yet truly, at the very end, the remaining virgins also arrived, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’

12 But he responded by saying, ‘Amen I say to you, I do not know you.’

13 And so you must be vigilant, because you do not know the day or the hour.

14 For it is like a man setting out on a long journey, who called his servants and delivered to them his goods.

15 And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, yet to another he gave one, to each according to his own ability. And promptly, he set out.

16 Then he who had received five talents went out, and he made use of these, and he gained another five.

17 And similarly, he who had received two gained another two.

18 But he who had received one, going out, dug into the earth, and he hid the money of his lord.

19 Yet truly, after a long time, the lord of those servants returned and he settled accounts with them.

20 And when he who had received five talents approached, he brought another five talents, saying: ‘Lord, you delivered five talents to me. Behold, I have increased it by another five.’

21 His lord said to him: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. Since you have been faithful over a few things, I will appoint you over many things. Enter into the gladness of your lord.’

22 Then he who had received two talents also approached, and he said: ‘Lord, you delivered two talents to me. Behold, I have gained another two.’

23 His lord said to him: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. Since you have been faithful over a few things, I will appoint you over many things. Enter into the gladness of your lord.’

24 Then he who had received one talent, approaching, said: ‘Lord, I know that you are a hard man. You reap where you have not sown, and gather where you have not scattered.

25 And so, being afraid, I went out and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours.’

26 But his lord said to him in response: ‘You evil and lazy servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered.

27 Therefore, you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and then, at my arrival, at least I would have received what is mine with interest.

28 And so, take the talent away from him and give it the one who has ten talents.

29 For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he shall have in abundance. But from him who has not, even what he seems to have, shall be taken away.

30 And cast that useless servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

31 But when the Son of man will have arrived in his majesty, and all the Angels with him, then he will sit upon the seat of his majesty.

32 And all the nations shall be gathered together before him. And he shall separate them from one another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

33 And he shall station the sheep, indeed, on his right, but the goats on his left.

34 Then the King shall say to those who will be on his right: ‘Come, you blessed of my Father. Possess the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

35 For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in;

36 naked, and you covered me; sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me.’

37 Then the just will answer him, saying: ‘Lord, when have we see you hungry, and fed you; thirsty, and given you drink?

38 And when have we seen you a stranger, and taken you in? Or naked, and covered you?

39 Or when did we see you sick, or in prison, and visit to you?’

40 And in response, the King shall say to them, ‘Amen I say to you, whenever you did this for one of these, the least of my brothers, you did it for me.’

41 Then he shall also say, to those who will be on his left: ‘Depart from me, you accursed ones, into the eternal fire, which was prepared for the devil and his angels.

42 For I was hungry, and you did not give me to eat; I was thirsty, and you did not give me to drink;

43 I was a stranger and you did not take me in; naked, and you did not cover me; sick and in prison, and you did not visit me.’

44 Then they will also answer him, saying: ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to you?’

45 Then he shall respond to them by saying: ‘Amen I say to you, whenever you did not do it to one of these least, neither did you do it to me.’

46 And these shall go into eternal punishment, but the just shall go into eternal life.”

Matthew 26

1 And it happened that, when Jesus had completed all these words, he said to his disciples,

2 “You know that after two days the Passover will begin, and the Son of man will be handed over to be crucified.”

3 Then the leaders of the priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas.

4 And they took counsel so that by deceitfulness they might take hold of Jesus and kill him.

5 But they said, “Not on the feast day, lest perhaps there may be a tumult among the people.”

6 And when Jesus was in Bethania, in the house of Simon the leper,

7 a woman drew near to him, holding an alabaster box of precious ointment, and she poured it over his head while he was reclining at table.

8 But the disciples, seeing this, were indignant, saying: “What is the purpose of this waste?

9 For this could have been sold for a great deal, so as to be given to the poor.”

10 But Jesus, knowing this, said to them: “Why are you bothering this woman? For she has done a good deed to me.

11 For the poor you will always have with you. But you will not always have me.

12 For in pouring this ointment on my body, she has prepared for my burial.

13 Amen I say to you, wherever this Gospel will be preached in the whole world, what she has done also shall be told, in memory of her.”

14 Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the leaders of the priests,

15 and he said to them, “What are you willing to give me, if I hand him over to you?” So they appointed thirty pieces of silver for him.

16 And from then on, he sought an opportunity to betray him.

17 Then, on the first day of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?”

18 So Jesus said, “Go into the city, to a certain one, and say to him: ‘The Teacher said: My time is near. I am observing the Passover with you, along with my disciples.’ “

19 And the disciples did just as Jesus appointed to them. And they prepared the Passover.

20 Then, when evening arrived, he sat at table with his twelve disciples.

21 And while they were eating, he said: “Amen I say to you, that one of you is about to betray me.”

22 And being greatly saddened, each one of them began to say, “Surely, it is not I, Lord?”

23 But he responded by saying: “He who dips his hand with me into the dish, the same will betray me.

24 Indeed, the Son of man goes, just as it has been written about him. But woe to that man by whom the Son of man will be betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had not been born.”

25 Then Judas, who betrayed him, responded by saying, “Surely, it is not I, Master?” He said to him, “You have said it.”

26 Now while they were eating the meal, Jesus took bread, and he blessed and broke and gave it to his disciples, and he said: “Take and eat. This is my body.”

27 And taking the chalice, he gave thanks. And he gave it to them, saying: “Drink from this, all of you.

28 For this is my blood of the new covenant, which shall be shed for many as a remission of sins.

29 But I say to you, I will not drink again from this fruit of the vine, until that day when I will drink it new with you in the kingdom of my Father.”

30 And after a hymn was sung, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

31 Then Jesus said to them: “You will all fall away from me in this night. For it has been written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

32 But after I have risen again, I will go before you to Galilee.”

33 Then Peter responded by saying to him, “Even if everyone else has fallen away from you, I will never fall away.”

34 Jesus said to him, “Amen I say to you, that in this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”

35 Peter said to him, “Even if it is necessary for me to die with you, I will not deny you.” And all the disciples spoke similarly.

36 Then Jesus went with them to a garden, which is called Gethsemani. And he said to his disciples, “Sit down here, while I go there and pray.”

37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and saddened.

38 Then he said to them: “My soul is sorrowful, even unto death. Stay here and keep vigil with me.”

39 And continuing on a little further, he fell prostrate on his face, praying and saying: “My Father, if it is possible, let this chalice pass away from me. Yet truly, let it not be as I will, but as you will.”

40 And he approached his disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter: “So, were you not able to keep vigil with me for one hour?

41 Be vigilant and pray, so that you may not enter into temptation. Indeed, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42 Again, a second time, he went and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this chalice cannot pass away, unless I drink it, let your will be done.”

43 And again, he went and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.

44 And leaving them behind, again he went and prayed for the third time, saying the same words.

45 Then he approached his disciples and said to them: “Sleep now and rest. Behold, the hour has drawn near, and the Son of man will be delivered into the hands of sinners.

46 Rise up; let us go. Behold, he who will betray me draws near.”

47 While he was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived, and with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, sent from the leaders of the priests and the elders of the people.

48 And he who betrayed him gave them a sign, saying: “Whomever I will kiss, it is he. Take hold of him.”

49 And quickly drawing close to Jesus, he said, “Hail, Master.” And he kissed him.

50 And Jesus said to him, “Friend, for what purpose have you come?” Then they approached, and they put their hands on Jesus, and they held him.

51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus, extending his hand, drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

52 Then Jesus said to him: “Put your sword back in its place. For all who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.

53 Or do you think that I cannot ask my Father, so that he would give me, even now, more than twelve legions of Angels?

54 How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must be so?”

55 In that same hour, Jesus said to the crowds: “You went out, as if to a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me. Yet I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not take hold of me.

56 But all this has happened so that the Scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples fled, abandoning him.

57 But those who were holding Jesus led him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had joined together.

58 Then Peter followed him from a distance, as far as the court of the high priest. And going inside, he sat down with the servants, so that he might see the end.

59 Then the leaders of the priests and the entire council sought false testimony against Jesus, so that they might deliver him to death.

60 And they did not find any, even though many false witnesses had come forward. Then, at the very end, two false witnesses came forward,

61 and they said, “This man said: ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and, after three days, to rebuild it.’ “

62 And the high priest, rising up, said to him, “Have you nothing to respond to what these ones testify against you?”

63 But Jesus was silent. And the high priest said to him, “I bind you by an oath to the living God to tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.”

64 Jesus said to him: “You have said it. Yet truly I say to you, hereafter you shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of the power of God, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

65 Then the high priest tore his garments, saying: “He has blasphemed. Why do we still need witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy.

66 How does it seem to you?” So they responded by saying, “He is guilty unto death.”

67 Then they spit in his face, and they struck him with fists. And others struck his face with the palms of their hands,

68 saying: “Prophesy for us, O Christ. Who is the one that struck you?”

69 Yet truly, Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a maidservant approached him, saying, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.”

70 But he denied it in the sight of them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.”

71 Then, as he exited by the gate, another maidservant saw him. And she said to those who were there, “This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

72 And again, he denied it with an oath, “For I do not know the man.”

73 And after a little while, those who were standing nearby came and said to Peter: “Truly, you also are one of them. For even your manner of speaking reveals you.”

74 Then he began to curse and to swear that he had not known the man. And immediately the rooster crowed.

75 And Peter remembered the words of Jesus, which he had said: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And going outside, he wept bitterly.

Matthew 27

1 Then, when morning arrived, all the leaders of the priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus, so that they might deliver him to death.

2 And they led him, bound, and handed him over to Pontius Pilate, the procurator.

3 Then Judas, who betrayed him, seeing that he had been condemned, regretting his conduct, brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the leaders of the priests and the elders,

4 saying, “I have sinned in betraying just blood.” But they said to him: “What is that to us? See to it yourself.”

5 And throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed. And going out, he hanged himself with a snare.

6 But the leaders of the priests, having taken up the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the temple offerings, because it is the price of blood.”

7 Then, having taken counsel, they bought the potter’s field with it, as a burying place for sojourners.

8 For this reason, that field is called Haceldama, that is, ‘The Field of Blood,’ even to this very day.

9 Then what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one being appraised, whom they appraised before the sons of Israel,

10 and they gave it for the potter’s field, just as the Lord appointed to me.”

11 Now Jesus stood before the procurator, and the procurator questioned him, saying, “You are the king of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “You are saying so.”

12 And when he was accused by the leaders of the priests and the elders, he responded nothing.

13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how much testimony they speak against you?”

14 And he did not respond any word to him, so that the procurator wondered greatly.

15 Now on the solemn day, the procurator was accustomed to release to the people one prisoner, whomever they wished.

16 And at that time, he had a notorious prisoner, who was called Barabbas.

17 Therefore, having been gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Who is it that you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus, who is called Christ?”

18 For he knew that it was out of envy they had handed him over.

19 But as he was sitting in the place for the tribunal, his wife sent to him, saying: “It is nothing to you, and he is just. For I have experienced many things today through a vision for his sake.”

20 But the leaders of the priests and the elders persuaded the people, so that they would ask for Barabbas, and so that Jesus would perish.

21 Then, in response, the procurator said to them, “Which of the two do you want to be released to you?” But they said to him, “Barabbas.”

22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do about Jesus, who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified.”

23 The procurator said to them, “But what evil has he done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let him be crucified.”

24 Then Pilate, seeing that he was able to accomplish nothing, but that a greater tumult was occurring, taking water, washed his hands in the sight of the people, saying: “I am innocent of the blood of this just man. See to it yourselves.”

25 And the entire people responded by saying, “May his blood be upon us and upon our children.”

26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But Jesus, having been scourged, he handed over to them, so that he would be crucified.

27 Then the soldiers of the procurator, taking Jesus up to the praetorium, gathered the entire cohort around him.

28 And stripping him, they put a scarlet cloak around him.

29 And plaiting a crown of thorns, they placed it on his head, with a reed in his right hand. And genuflecting before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews.”

30 And spitting on him, they took the reed and struck his head.

31 And after they had mocked him, they stripped him of the cloak, and clothed him with his own garments, and they led him away to crucify him.

32 But as they were going out, they came upon a man of Cyrene, named Simon, whom they compelled to take up his cross.

33 And they arrived at the place which is called Golgotha, which is the place of Calvary.

34 And they gave him wine to drink, mixed with gall. And when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it.

35 Then, after they had crucified him, they divided his garments, casting lots, in order to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying: “They divided my garments among them, and over my vestment they cast lots.”

36 And sitting down, they observed him.

37 And they set his accusation above his head, written as: THIS IS JESUS, KING OF THE JEWS.

38 Then two robbers were crucified with him: one on the right and one on the left.

39 But those passing by blasphemed him, shaking their heads,

40 and saying: “Ah, so you would destroy the temple of God and in three days rebuild it! Save your own self. If you are the Son of God, descend from the cross.”

41 And similarly, the leaders of the priests, with the scribes and the elders, mocking him, said:

42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him descend now from the cross, and we will believe in him.

43 He trusted in God; so now, let God free him, if he wills him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ “

44 Then, the robbers who were crucified with him also reproached him with the very same thing.

45 Now from the sixth hour, there was darkness over the entire earth, even until the ninth hour.

46 And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying: “Eli, Eli, lamma sabacthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”

47 Then certain ones who were standing and listening there said, “This man calls upon Elijah.”

48 And one of them, running quickly, took a sponge and filled it with vinegar, and he set it on a reed and he gave it to him to drink.

49 Yet truly, the others said, “Wait. Let us see whether Elijah will come to free him.”

50 Then Jesus, crying out again with a loud voice, gave up his life.

51 And behold, the veil of the temple was torn into two parts, from top to bottom. And the earth was shaken, and the rocks were split apart.

52 And the tombs were opened. And many bodies of the saints, which had been sleeping, arose.

53 And going out from the tombs, after his resurrection, they went into the holy city, and they appeared to many.

54 Now the centurion and those who were with him, guarding Jesus, having seen the earthquake and the things that were done, were very fearful, saying: “Truly, this was the Son of God.”

55 And in that place, there were many women, at a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him.

56 Among these were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

57 Then, when evening had arrived, a certain wealthy man from Arimathea, named Joseph, arrived, who himself was also a disciple of Jesus.

58 This man approached Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered the body to be released.

59 And Joseph, taking the body, wrapped it in a clean finely-woven linen cloth,

60 and he placed it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out of a rock. And he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, and he went away.

61 Now Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the sepulcher.

62 Then the next day, which is after the Preparation day, the leaders of the priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate together,

63 saying: “Lord, we have remembered that that this seducer said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days, I will rise again.’

64 Therefore, order the sepulcher to be guarded until the third day, lest perhaps his disciples may come and steal him, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ And this last error would be worse than the first.”

65 Pilate said to them: “You have a guard. Go, guard it as you know how.”

66 Then, going out, they secured the sepulcher with guards, sealing the stone.

Matthew 28

1 Now on the morning of the Sabbath, when it began to grow light on the first Sabbath, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the sepulcher.

2 And behold, a great earthquake occurred. For an Angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and as he approached, he rolled back the stone and sat down on it.

3 Now his appearance was like lightning, and his vestment was like snow.

4 Then, out of fear of him, the guards were terrified, and they became like dead men.

5 Then the Angel responded by saying to the women: “Do not be afraid. For I know that you are seeking Jesus, who was crucified.

6 He is not here. For he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where the Lord was placed.

7 And then, go quickly, and tell his disciples that he has risen. And behold, he will precede you to Galilee. There you shall see him. Lo, I have told you beforehand.”

8 And they went out of the tomb quickly, with fear and in great joy, running to announce it to his disciples.

9 And behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Hail.” But they drew near and took hold of his feet, and they adored him.

10 Then Jesus said to them: “Do not be afraid. Go, announce it to my brothers, so that they may go to Galilee. There they shall see me.”

11 And when they had departed, behold, some of the guards went into the city, and they reported to the leaders of the priests all that had happened.

12 And gathering together with the elders, having taken counsel, they gave an abundant sum of money to the soldiers,

13 saying: “Say that his disciples arrived at night and stole him away, while we were sleeping.

14 And if the procurator hears about this, we will persuade him, and we will protect you.”

15 Then, having accepted the money, they did as they were instructed. And this word has been spread among the Jews, even to this day.

16 Now the eleven disciples went on to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

17 And, seeing him, they worshipped him, but certain ones doubted.

18 And Jesus, drawing near, spoke to them, saying: “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.

19 Therefore, go forth and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20 teaching them to observe all that I have ever commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, even to the consummation of the age.”

Malachi 1

1 The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel by the hand of Malachi.

2 I have loved you, says the Lord, and you have said, “In what way have you loved us?” Was not Esau brother to Jacob, says the Lord? And have I not loved Jacob,

3 but held hatred for Esau? And I have set his mountains in solitude, and his inheritance with the serpents of the desert.

4 But if Idumea will say, “We have been destroyed, but when we return, we will build up what has been destroyed,” thus says the Lord of hosts: They will build up, and I will destroy. And they will be called “The limits of impiety,” and, “The people with whom the Lord has been angry, even to eternity.”

5 And your eyes will see. And you will say, “May the Lord be magnified beyond the limits of Israel.”

6 The son honors the father, and the servant his master. If, therefore, I am Father, where is my honor? And if I am Master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. And you have said, “In what way, have we despised your name?”

7 You offer polluted bread upon my altar, and you say, “In what way, have we polluted you?” In that you say, “The table of the Lord has been despised.”

8 If you offer the blind for sacrifice, is this not evil? And if you offer the lame and the sick, is this not evil? Offer it to your leader, if he will be pleased with it, or if he will accept your face, says the Lord of hosts.

9 And now, beseech the face of God, so that he may have mercy on you (for by your hand has this been done) if, in any way, he might accept your faces, says the Lord of hosts.

10 Who is there among you that would close the doors and enflame my altar without pay? I have no favor in you, says the Lord of hosts. And I will not accept a gift from your hand.

11 For, from the rising of the sun even to its setting, my name is great among the Gentiles, and in every place, a clean oblation is being sacrificed and offered to my name. For my name is great among the Gentiles, says the Lord of hosts.

12 And you have polluted it, in that you say, “The table of the Lord has been contaminated; and that which is placed upon it is contemptible, compared with the fire that devours it.”

13 And you have said, “Behold our labor,” and you have exhaled it away, says the Lord of hosts. And you brought in by plunder the lame, and the sick, and brought it in as a gift. How can I receive this from your hand, says the Lord?

14 Cursed is the deceitful, who holds in his flock a male, and, when making a vow, offers in sacrifice that which is feeble to the Lord. For I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the Gentiles.

Malachi 2

1 And now, O priests, this command is to you.

2 If you will refuse to listen, and if you will refuse to take it to heart, so as to give glory to my name, says the Lord of hosts, I will send destitution upon you, and I will curse your blessings; yes, I will curse them. For you have not taken it to heart.

3 Behold, I will cast forth an arm to you, and I will scatter across your face the dung of your solemnities, and it will take you to itself.

4 And you will know that I sent you this commandment, so that my covenant might be with Levi, says the Lord of hosts.

5 My covenant was with him for life and peace. And I gave him fear, and he feared me, and he was afraid before the face of my name.

6 The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and integrity, and he turned away many from iniquity.

7 For the lips of the priests will keep knowledge, and they will request the law from his mouth, because he is an angel of the Lord of hosts.

8 But you have withdrawn from the way, and you have scandalized very many in the law. You have nullified the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts.

9 Because of this, I also have made you contemptible and debased to all the people, just as you have not served my ways, and you have accepted a face in the law.

10 Is there not one Father of us all? Did not one God create us? Why, then, does each one of us despise his brother, violating the covenant of our fathers?

11 Judah has transgressed, and abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has contaminated the sanctified of the Lord, which he loved, and has held the daughter of a strange god.

12 The Lord will drive away the man who has done this, both the teacher and the disciple, from the tabernacles of Jacob and from those offering a gift to the Lord of hosts.

13 And you have done this repeatedly: you have covered the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping and bellowing, to such an extent that I no longer have respect towards the sacrifice, nor do I accept any appeasement that is from your hands.

14 And you have said, “What is the reason for this?” It is because the Lord has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, whom you have despised. Yet she was your partner, and the wife of your covenant.

15 Did not One make her, and is she not the remainder of his spirit? And what does one seek, except offspring of God? So then, preserve your spirit, and do not despise the wife of your youth.

16 If you would hold hatred, dismiss her, says the Lord, the God of Israel. But iniquity will cover his garment, says the Lord of hosts. Preserve your spirit, and do not be willing to despise.

17 You have wearied the Lord with your speeches, and you have said, “In what way, have we wearied him?” In that you say, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and such as these please him,” or certainly, “Where is the God of judgment?”

Malachi 3

1 Behold, I send my angel, and he will prepare the way before my face. And presently the Sovereign, whom you seek, and the angel of testimony, whom you desire, will arrive at his temple. Behold, he approaches, says the Lord of hosts.

2 And who will be able to consider the day of his advent, and who will stand firm in order to see him? For he is like a refining fire, and like the fuller’s herb.

3 And he will sit refining and cleansing the silver, and he will purge the sons of Levi, and he will gather them like gold and like silver, and they will offer sacrifices to the Lord in justice.

4 And the sacrifice of Judah and of Jerusalem will please the Lord, just as in the days of past generations, and as in the ancient years.

5 And I will approach you in judgment, and I will be a swift witness against evil-doers, and adulterers, and perjurers, and those who cheat the hired hand in his wages, the widows and the orphans, and who oppress the traveler, and who have not feared me, says the Lord of hosts.

6 For I am the Lord, and I do not change. And you, the sons of Jacob, have not been consumed.

7 For, from the days of your fathers, you have withdrawn from my ordinances and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. And you have said, “In what way, shall we return?”

8 If a man will afflict God, then you greatly afflict me. And you have said, “In what way, do we afflict you?” In tithes and in first-fruits.

9 And you have been cursed with privation, and you greatly afflict me, even your entire people.

10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, and let there be food in my house. And test me about this, says the Lord, as to whether I will not open to you the floodgates of heaven, and pour out to you a blessing, all the way to abundance.

11 And I will rebuke for your sakes the devourer, and he will not corrupt the fruit of your land. Neither will the vine in the field be barren, says the Lord of hosts.

12 And all nations will call you blessed. For you will be a desirable land, says the Lord of hosts.

13 Your words have gathered strength over me, says the Lord.

14 And you have said, “What have we spoken against you?” You have said, “He labors in vain who serves God,” and, “What advantage is it that we have kept his precepts, and that we have walked sorrowfully in the sight of the Lord of hosts?

15 Therefore, we now call the arrogant blessed, as if those who work impiety have been built up, and as if they have tempted God and been saved.”

16 Then those who fear the Lord spoke, each one with his neighbor. And the Lord paid attention and heeded. And a book of remembrance was written in his sight, for those who fear the Lord and for those who consider his name.

17 And they will be my special possession, says the Lord of hosts, on the day that I act. And I will spare them, just as a man spares his son who serves him.

18 And you shall be converted, and you will see the difference between the just and the impious, and between those who serve God and those who do not serve him.

Malachi 4

1 For, behold, the day will arrive, kindled like a furnace, and all the arrogant and all those who act impiously will be stubble. And the approaching day will inflame them, says the Lord of hosts; it will leave behind for them neither root, nor sprout.

2 But unto you, who fear my name, the Sun of justice will arise, and health will be in his wings. And you will go forth and leap like the calves of the herd.

3 And you will trample the impious, while they will be ashes under the sole of your foot, on the day that I act, says the Lord of hosts.

4 Remember the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded him on Horeb for all Israel, the precepts and the judgments.

5 Behold, I will send to you Elijah the prophet, before the arrival of the great and terrible day of the Lord.

6 And he will turn the heart of the fathers to the sons, and the heart of the sons to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with anathema.