The Holy Bible, Douay-Rheims Version, New Testament
HISTORY
This three volume e-text set comes from multiple editions of Challoner's revised Douay-Rheims Version of the Holy Bible. The division of the Old Testaments into two parts follows the two tome format of the 1609/1610 printing of the Old Testament. In 1568 English exiles, many from Oxford, established the English College of Douay (Douai/Doway), Flanders, under William (later Cardinal) Allen. In October, 1578, Gregory Martin began the work of preparing an English translation of the Bible for Catholic readers, the first such translation into Modern English. Assisting were William Allen, Richard Bristow, Thomas Worthington, and William Reynolds who revised, criticized, and corrected Dr. Martin's work. The college published the New Testament at Rheims (Reims/Rhemes), France, in 1582 through John Fogny with a preface and explanatory notes, authored chiefly by Bristol, Allen, and Worthington. Later the Old Testament was published at Douay in two parts (1609 and 1610) by Laurence Kellam through the efforts of Dr. Worthington, then superior of the seminary. The translation had been prepared before the appearance of the New Testament, but the publication was delayed due to financial difficulties. The religious and scholarly adherence to the Latin Vulgate text led to the less elegant and idiomatic words and phrases often found in the translation. In some instances where no English word conveyed the full meaning of the Latin, a Latin word was Anglicized and its meaning defined in a glossary. Although ridiculed by critics, many of these words later found common usage in the English language. Spellings of proper names and the numbering of the Psalms are adopted from the Latin Vulgate.
In 1749 Dr. Richard Challoner began a major revision of the Douay and Rheims texts, the spellings and phrasing of which had become increasingly archaic in the almost two centuries since the translations were first produced. He modernized the diction and introduced a more fluid style, while faithfully maintaining the accuracy of Dr. Martin's texts. This revision became the 'de facto' standard text for English speaking Catholics until the twentieth century. It is still highly regarded by many for its style, although it is now rarely used for liturgical purposes. The notes included in this electronic edition are generally attributed to Bishop Challoner.
The 1610 printing of the second tome of the Old Testament includes an appendix containing the non-canonical books 'Prayer of Manasses,' 'Third Booke of Esdras,' and 'Fourth Booke of Esdras.' While not part of Challoner's revision, the 1610 texts are placed in the appendices of Vol. II of this e-text set. Also included are the original texts of two short books, 'The Prophecie of Abdias' (Vol. II) and 'The Catholike Epistle of Iude the Apostle' (Vol. III), to give the reader a sense of the language of the first editions in comparison to the Challoner revision. Further background on the Douay-Rheims version may be found in a selection from the preface to the 1582 edition and the original glossary included in the appendices of Vol. III.
CONTENTS
The New Testament
Gospel According to St. Matthew Gospel According to St. Mark Gospel According to St. Luke Gospel According to St. John Acts of the Apostles Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians Second Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians Epistle of St. Paul to the Philippians Epistle of St. Paul to the Colossians First Epistle of St. Paul to the Thessalonians Second Epistle of St. Paul to the Thessalonians First Epistle of St. Paul to Timothy Second Epistle of St. Paul to Timothy Epistle of St. Paul to Titus Epistle of St. Paul to Philemon Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews Catholic Epistle of St. James the Apostle First Epistle of St. Peter the Apostle Second Epistle of St. Peter the Apostle First Epistle of St. John the Apostle Second Epistle of St. John the Apostle Third Epistle of St. John the Apostle Catholic Epistle of St. Jude the Apostle Apocalypse of St. John the Apostle
Appendices
The Catholike Epistle of Iude the Apostle
The Preface to the Reader Hard Vvordes Explicated
THE HOLY GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO SAINT MATTHEW
Saint Matthew, one of the twelve Apostles, who from being a publican, that is, a taxgatherer, was called by our Saviour to the Apostleship: in that profession his name is Levi. (Luke 5.27, and Mark 2.14.) He was the first of the Evangelists that wrote the Gospel, and that in Hebrew or Syro-Chaldaic which the Jews in Palestine spoke at that time. The original is not now extant; but it was translated in the time of the Apostles into Greek, that version was of equal authority. He wrote about six years after the Lord's Ascension.
Matthew Chapter 1
The genealogy of Christ: he is conceived and born of a virgin.
1:1. The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham:
1:2. Abraham begot Isaac. And Isaac begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Judas and his brethren.
1:3. And Judas begot Phares and Zara of Thamar. And Phares begot Esron. And Esron begot Aram.
1:4. And Aram begot Aminadab. And Aminadab begot Naasson. And Naasson begot Salmon.
1:5. And Salmon begot Booz of Rahab. And Booz begot Obed of Ruth. And Obed begot Jesse.
1:6. And Jesse begot David the king. And David the king begot Solomon, of her that had been the wife of Urias.
1:7. And Solomon begot Roboam. And Roboam begot Abia. And Abia begot Asa.
1:8. And Asa begot Josaphat. And Josaphat begot Joram. And Joram begot Ozias.
1:9. And Ozias begot Joatham. And Joatham begot Achaz. And Achaz begot Ezechias.
1:10. And Ezechias begot Manasses. And Manasses begot Amon. And Amon begot Josias.
1:11. And Josias begot Jechonias and his brethren in the transmigration of Babylon.
1:12. And after the transmigration of Babylon, Jechonias begot Salathiel. And Salathiel begot Zorobabel.
1:13. And Zorobabel begot Abiud. And Abiud begot Eliacim. And Eliacim begot Azor.
1:14. And Azor begot Sadoc. And Sadoc begot Achim. And Achim begot Eliud.
1:15. And Eliud begot Eleazar. And Eleazar begot Mathan. And Mathan begot Jacob.
1:16. And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
The husband of Mary. . .The Evangelist gives us rather the pedigree of St. Joseph, than that of the blessed Virgin, to conform to the custom of the Hebrews, who in their genealogies took no notice of women; but as they were near akin, the pedigree of the one sheweth that of the other.
1:17. So all the generations from Abraham to David, are fourteen generations. And from David to the transmigration of Babylon, are fourteen generations: and from the transmigration of Babylon to Christ are fourteen generations.
1:18. Now the generation of Christ was in this wise. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost.
1:19. Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately.
1:20. But while he thought on these things, behold the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost.
1:21. And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus. For he shall save his people from their sins.
1:22. Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying:
1:23. Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
1:24. And Joseph rising up from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife.
1:25. And he knew her not till she brought forth her first born son: and he called his name Jesus.
Till she brought forth her firstborn son. . .From these words Helvidius and other heretics most impiously inferred that the blessed Virgin Mary had other children besides Christ; but St. Jerome shews, by divers examples, that this expression of the Evangelist was a manner of speaking usual among the Hebrews, to denote by the word until, only what is done, without any regard to the future. Thus it is said, Genesis 8. 6 and 7, that Noe sent forth a raven, which went forth, and did not return till the waters were dried up on the earth. That is, did not return any more. Also Isaias 46. 4, God says: I am till you grow old. Who dare infer that God should then cease to be: Also in the first book of Machabees 5. 54, And they went up to mount Sion with joy and gladness, and offered holocausts, because not one of them was slain till they had returned in peace. That is, not one was slain before or after they had returned. God saith to his divine Son: Sit on my right hand till I make thy enemies thy footstool. Shall he sit no longer after his enemies are subdued? Yea and for all eternity. St. Jerome also proves by Scripture examples, that an only begotten son, was also called firstborn, or first begotten: because according to the law, the firstborn males were to be consecrated to God; Sanctify unto me, saith the Lord, every firstborn that openeth the womb among the children of Israel, etc. Ex. 13. 2.
Matthew Chapter 2
The offerings of the wise men: the flight into Egypt: the massacre of the Innocents.
2:1. When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem,
2:2. Saying: Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and are come to adore him.
2:3. And king Herod hearing this, was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
2:4. And assembling together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where Christ should be born.
2:5. But they said to him: In Bethlehem of Juda. For so it is written by the prophet:
2:6. And thou Bethlehem the land of Juda art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come forth the captain that shall rule my people Israel.
2:7. Then Herod, privately calling the wise men learned diligently of them the time of the star which appeared to them;
2:8. And sending them into Bethlehem, said: Go and diligently inquire after the child, and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I also may come and adore him.
2:9. Who having heard the king, went their way; and behold the star which they had seen in the East, went before them, until it came and stood over where the child was.
2:10. And seeing the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
2:11. And entering into the house, they found the child with Mary his mother, and falling down they adored him: and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
2:12. And having received an answer in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back another way into their country.
2:13. And after they were departed, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee. For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy him.
2:14. Who arose, and took the child and his mother by night, and retired into Egypt: and he was there until the death of Herod:
2:15. That it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: Out of Egypt have I called my son.
2:16. Then Herod perceiving that he was deluded by the wise men, was exceeding angry: and sending killed all the menchildren that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.
2:17. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremias the prophet, saying:
2:18. A voice in Rama was heard, lamentation and great mourning; Rachel bewailing her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
2:19. But when Herod was dead, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph in Egypt,
2:20. Saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel. For they are dead that sought the life of the child.
2:21. Who arose, and took the child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
2:22. But hearing that Archclaus reigned in Judea in the room of Herod his father, he was afraid to go thither: and being warned in sleep retired into the quarters of Galilee.
2:23. And coming he dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was said by the prophets: That he shall be called a Nazarene.
Matthew Chapter 3
The preaching of John: Christ is baptized.
3:1. And in those days cometh John the Baptist preaching in the desert of Judea.
3:2. And saying: Do penance: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Do penance. . .Paenitentiam agite. Which word, according to the use of the scriptures and the holy fathers, does not only signify repentance and amendment of life, but also punishing past sins by fasting, and such like penitential exercises.
3:3. For this is he that was spoken of by Isaias the prophet, saying: A voice of one crying in the desert, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.
3:4. And the same John had his garment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins: and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
3:5. Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea, and all the country about Jordan:
3:6. And were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
3:7. And seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them: Ye brood of vipers, who hath shewed you to flee from the wrath to come?
Pharisees and Sadducees. . .These were two sects among the Jews: of which the former were for the most part notorious hypocrites; the latter, a kind of freethinkers in matters of religion.
3:8. Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of penance.
3:9. And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father. For I tell you that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
3:10. For now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doth not yield good fruit, shall be cut down, and cast into the fire.
3:11. I indeed baptize you in water unto penance, but he that shall come after me, is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you in the Holy Ghost and fire.
3:12. Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his floor and gather his wheat into the barn; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.
3:13. Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan, unto John, to be baptized by him.
3:14. But John stayed him, saying: I ought to be baptized by thee, and comest thou to me?
3:15. And Jesus answering, said to him: Suffer it to be so now. For so it becometh us to fulfil all justice. Then he suffered him.
3:16. And Jesus being baptized, forthwith came out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened to him: and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him.
3:17. And behold a voice from heaven saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Matthew Chapter 4
Christ's fast of forty days: He is tempted. He begins to preach, to call disciples to him, and to work miracles.
4:1. Then Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert, to be tempted by the devil.
4:2. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterwards he was hungry.
4:3. And the tempter coming said to him: If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4:4. Who answered and said: It is written, Not in bread alone doth man live, but in every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God.
4:5. Then the devil took him up into the holy city, and set him upon the pinnacle of the temple,
4:6. And said to him: If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written: That he hath given his angels charge over thee, and in their hands shall they bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone.
4:7. Jesus said to him: It is written again: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
4:8. Again the devil took him up into a very high mountain, and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them,
Shewed him, etc. . .That is, pointed out to him where each kingdom lay; and set forth in words what was most glorious and admirable in each of them. Or also set before his eyes, as it were in a large map, a lively representation of all those kingdoms.
4:9. And said to him: All these will I give thee, if falling down thou wilt adore me.
4:10. Then Jesus saith to him: Begone, Satan: for it is written: The Lord thy God shalt thou adore, and him only shalt thou serve.
4:11. Then the devil left him; and behold angels came and ministered to him.
4:12. And when Jesus had heard that John was delivered up, he retired into Galilee:
4:13. And leaving the city Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capharnaum on the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and of Nephthalim;
4:14. That it might be fulfilled which was said by Isaias the prophet:
4:15. Land of Zabulon and land of Nephthalim, the way of the sea beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles:
4:16. The people that sat in darkness, hath seen great light: and to them that sat in the region of the shadow of death, light is sprung up.
4:17. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say: Do penance, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
4:18. And Jesus walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishers).
4:19. And he saith to them: Come ye after me, and I will make you to be fishers of men.
4:20. And they immediately leaving their nets, followed him.
4:21. And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets: and he called them.
4:22. And they forthwith left their nets and father, and followed him.
4:23. And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom: and healing all manner of sickness and every infirmity, among the people.
4:24. And his fame went throughout all Syria, and they presented to him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and such as were possessed by devils, and lunatics, and those that had the palsy, and he cured them:
4:25. And much people followed him from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.
Matthew Chapter 5
Christ's sermon upon the mount. The eight beatitudes.
5:1. And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain, and when he was set down, his disciples came unto him.
5:2. And opening his mouth he taught them, saying:
5:3. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
The poor in spirit. . .That is, the humble; and they whose spirit is not set upon riches.
5:4. Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.
5:5. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5:6. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.
5:7. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
5:8. Blessed are the clean of heart: they shall see God.
5:9. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
5:10. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
5:11. Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake:
5:12. Be glad and rejoice for your reward is very great in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets that were before you.
5:13. You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing anymore but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men.
5:14. You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid.
5:15. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house.
5:16. So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
5:17. Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
To fulfil. . .By accomplishing all the figures and prophecies; and perfecting all that was imperfect.
5:18. For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled.
Amen. . .That is, assuredly of a truth. . .This Hebrew word, amen, is here retained by the example and authority of all the four Evangelists. It is used by our Lord as a strong asseveration, and affirmation of the truth.
5:19. He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach men shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
5:20. For I tell you, that unless your justice abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
The scribes and Pharisees. . .The scribes were the doctors of the law of Moses: the Pharisees were a precise set of men, making profession of a more exact observance of the law: and upon that account greatly esteemed among the people.
5:21. You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not kill. And whosoever shall kill, shall be in danger of the judgment.
Shall be in danger of the judgment. . .That is, shall deserve to be punished by that lesser tribunal among the Jews, called the Judgment, which took cognizance of such crimes.
5:22. But I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of the judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council. And whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Raca. . .A word expressing great indignation or contempt. Shall be in danger of the council. . .That is, shall deserve to be punished by the highest court of judicature, called the Council, or Sanhedrim, consisting of seventy-two persons, where the highest causes were tried and judged, which was at Jerusalem. Thou fool. . .This was then looked upon as a heinous injury, when uttered with contempt, spite, or malice: and therefore is here so severely condemned. Shall be in danger of hell fire. . .literally, according to the Greek, shall deserve to be cast into the Gehenna of fire. Which words our Saviour made use of to express the fire and punishments of hell.
5:23. If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou remember that thy brother hath anything against thee;
5:24. Leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to thy brother, and then coming thou shalt offer thy gift.
5:25. Be at agreement with thy adversary betimes, whilst thou art in the way with him: lest perhaps the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
5:26. Amen I say to thee, thou shalt not go out from thence till thou repay the last farthing.
5:27. You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not commit adultery.
5:28. But I say to you, that whosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart.
5:29. And if thy right eye scandalize thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee. For it is expedient for thee that one of thy members should perish, rather than thy whole body be cast into hell.
Scandalize thee. . .That is, if it be a stumblingblock, or occasion of sin to thee. By which we are taught to fly the immediate occasions of sin, though they be as dear to us, or as necessary as a hand or an eye.
5:30. And if thy right hand scandalize thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is expedient for thee that one of thy members should perish, rather than that thy whole body go into hell.
5:31. And it hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a bill of divorce.
5:32. But I say to you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, excepting the cause of fornication, maketh her to commit adultery: and he that shall marry her that is put away, committeth adultery.
5:33. Again you have heard that it was said to them of old, thou shalt not forswear thyself: but thou shalt perform thy oaths to the Lord.
5:34. But I say to you not to swear at all, neither by heaven for it is the throne of God:
Not to swear at all. . .It is not forbid to swear in truth, justice and judgment; to the honour of God, or our own or neighbour's just defence: but only to swear rashly, or profanely, in common discourse, and without necessity.
5:35. Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool: nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king:
5:36. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
5:37. But let your speech be yea, yea: no, no: and that which is over and above these, is of evil.
5:38. You have heard that it hath been said: An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.
5:39. But I say to you not to resist evil: but if one strike thee on thy right cheek, turn to him also the other:
Not to resist evil, etc. . .What is here commanded, is a Christian patience under injuries and affronts, and to be willing even to suffer still more, rather than to indulge the desire of revenge: but what is further added does not strictly oblige according to the letter, for neither did Christ nor St. Paul turn the other cheek. St. John 18., and Acts 23.
5:40. And if a man will contend with thee in judgment, and take away thy coat, let go thy cloak also unto him.
5:41. And whosoever will force thee one mile, go with him other two.
5:42. Give to him that asketh of thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not away.
5:43. You have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thy enemy.
5:44. But I say to you, Love your enemies: do good to them that hate you: and pray for them that persecute and calumniate you:
5:45. That you may be the children of your Father who is in heaven, who maketh his sun to rise upon the good, and bad, and raineth upon the just and the unjust.
5:46. For if you love them that love you, what reward shall you have? do not even the publicans this?
The publicans. . .These were the gatherers of the public taxes: a set of men, odious and infamous among the Jews, for their extortions and injustice.
5:47. And if you salute your brethren only, what do you more? do not also the heathens this?
5:48. Be you therefore perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew Chapter 6
A continuation of the sermon on the mount.
6:1. Take heed that you do not your justice before men, to be seen by them: otherwise you shall not have a reward of your Father who is in heaven.
Your justice. . .that is, works of justice; viz., fasting, prayer, and almsdeeds; which ought to be performed not out of ostentation, or a view to please men, but solely to please God.
6:2. Therefore when thou dost an alms-deed, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be honoured by men. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward.
6:3. But when thou dost alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth.
6:4. That thy alms may be in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee.
6:5. And when ye pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, that love to stand and pray in the synagogues and corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men: Amen I say to you, they have received their reward.
6:6. But thou when thou shalt pray, enter into thy chamber, and having shut the door, pray to thy Father in secret, and thy father who seeth in secret will repay thee.
6:7. And when you are praying, speak not much, as the heathens. For they think that in their much speaking they may be heard.
6:8. Be not you therefore like to them for your Father knoweth what is needful for you, before you ask him.
6:9. Thus therefore shall you pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
6:10. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
6:11. Give us this day our supersubstantial bread.
Supersubstantial bread. . .In St. Luke the same word is rendered daily bread. It is understood of the bread of life, which we receive in the Blessed Sacrament.
6:12. And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.
6:13. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. Amen.
Lead us not into temptation. . .That is, suffer us not to be overcome by temptation.
6:14. For if you will forgive men their offences, your heavenly Father will forgive you also your offences.
6:15. But if you will not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive you your offences.
6:16. And when you fast, be not as the hypocrites, sad. For they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward.
6:17. But thou, when thou fastest anoint thy head, and wash thy face;
6:18. That thou appear not to men to fast, but to thy Father who is in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret, will repay thee.
6:19. Lay not up to yourselves treasures on earth: where the rust, and moth consume, and where thieves break through, and steal.
6:20. But lay up to yourselves treasures in heaven: where neither the rust nor moth doth consume, and where thieves do not break through, nor steal.
6:21. For where thy treasure is, there is thy heart also.
6:22. The light of thy body is thy eye. If thy eye be single, thy whole body shall be lightsome.
6:23. But if thy eye be evil thy whole body shall be darksome. If then the light that is in thee, be darkness: the darkness itself how great shall it be!
6:24. No man can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one, and love the other: or he will sustain the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Mammon. . .That is, riches, worldly interest.
6:25. Therefore I say to you, be not solicitous for your life, what you shall eat, nor for your body, what you shall put on. Is not the life more than the meat: and the body more than the raiment?
6:26. Behold the birds of the air, for they neither sow, nor do they reap, nor gather into barns: and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not you of much more value than they?
6:27. And which of you by taking thought, can add to his stature one cubit?
6:28. And for raiment why are you solicitous? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they labour not, neither do they spin.
6:29. But I say to you, that not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these.
6:30. And if the grass of the field, which is to day, and to morrow is cast into the oven, God doth so clothe: how much more you, O ye of little faith?
6:31. Be not solicitous therefore, saying: What shall we eat: or what shall we drink, or wherewith shall we be clothed?
6:32. For after all these things do the heathens seek. For your Father knoweth that you have need of all these things.
6:33. Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God, and his justice, and all these things shall be added unto you.
6:34. Be not therefore solicitous for to morrow; for the morrow will be solicitous for itself. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.
Matthew Chapter 7
The third part of the sermon on the mount.
7:1. Judge not, that you may not be judged.
7:2. For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again.
7:3. And why seest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye; and seest not the beam that is in thy own eye?
7:4. Or how sayest thou to thy brother: Let me cast the mote out of thy eye; and behold a beam is in thy own eye?
7:5. Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thy own eye, and then shalt thou see to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
7:6. Give not that which is holy to dogs; neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turning upon you, they tear you.
7:7. Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you.
7:8. For every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.
7:9. Or what man is there among you, of whom if his son shall ask bread, will he reach him a stone?
7:10. Or if he shall ask him a fish, will he reach him a serpent?
7:11. If you then being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more will your Father who is in heaven, give good things to them that ask him?
7:12. All things therefore whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you also to them. For this is the law and the prophets.
7:13. Enter ye in at the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there are who go in thereat.
7:14. How narrow is the gate, and strait is the way that leadeth to life: and few there are that find it!
7:15. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
7:16. By their fruits you shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
7:17. Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, and the evil tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
7:18. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can an evil tree bring forth good fruit.
7:19. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, shall be cut down, and shall be cast into the fire.
7:20. Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them.
7:21. Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.
7:22. Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have not we prophesied in thy name, and cast out devils in thy name, and done many miracles in thy name?
7:23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.
7:24. Every one therefore that heareth these my words, and doth them, shall be likened to a wise man that built his house upon a rock,
7:25. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell not, for it was founded on a rock.
7:26. And every one that heareth these my words and doth them not, shall be like a foolish man that built his house upon the sand,
7:27. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell, and great was the fall thereof.
7:28. And it came to pass when Jesus had fully ended these words, the people were in admiration at his doctrine.
7:29. For he was teaching them as one having power, and not as the scribes and Pharisees.
Matthew Chapter 8
Christ cleanses the leper, heals the centurion's servant, Peter's mother-in-law, and many others: he stills the storm at sea, drives the devils out of two men possessed, and suffers them to go into the swine.
8:1. And when he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him:
8:2. And behold a leper came and adored him, saying: Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
8:3. And Jesus stretching forth his hand, touched him, saying: I will, be thou made clean. And forthwith his leprosy was cleansed.
8:4. And Jesus saith to him: See thou tell no man: but go, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
8:5. And when he had entered into Capharnaum, there came to him a centurion, beseeching him,
8:6. And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, and is grievously tormented.
8:7. And Jesus saith to him: I will come and heal him.
8:8. And the centurion, making answer, said: Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant shall be healed.
8:9. For I also am a man subject to authority, having under me soldiers; and I say to this, Go, and he goeth, and to another Come, and he cometh, and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
8:10. And Jesus hearing this, marvelled; and said to them that followed him. Amen I say to you, I have not found so great faith in Israel.
8:11. And I say to you that many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven:
8:12. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into the exterior darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
8:13. And Jesus said to the centurion: Go, and as thou hast believed, so be it done to thee. And the servant was healed at the same hour.
8:14. And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother lying, and sick of a fever;
8:15. And he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she arose and ministered to them.
8:16. And when evening was come, they brought to him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word: and all that were sick he healed:
8:17. That it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the prophet Isaias, saying: He took our infirmities, and bore our diseases.
8:18. And Jesus seeing great multitudes about him, gave orders to pass over the water.
8:19. And a certain scribe came and said to him: Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou shalt go.
8:20. And Jesus saith to him: The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
8:21. And another of his disciples said to him: Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
8:22. But Jesus said to him: Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.
8:23. And when he entered into the boat, his disciples followed him:
8:24. And behold a great tempest arose in the sea, so that the boat was covered with waves, but he was asleep.
8:25. And they came to him, and awaked him, saying: Lord, save us, we perish.
8:26. And Jesus saith to them: Why are you fearful, O ye of little faith? Then rising up, he commanded the winds, and the sea, and there came a great calm.
8:27. But the men wondered, saying: What manner of man is this, for the winds and the sea obey him?
8:28. And when he was come on the other side of the water, into the country of the Gerasens, there met him two that were possessed with devils, coming out of the sepulchres, exceeding fierce, so that none could pass by that way.
8:29. And behold they cried out, saying: What have we to do with thee, Jesus Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
8:30. And there was, not far from them, a herd of many swine feeding.
8:31. And the devils besought him, saying: If thou cast us out hence, send us into the herd of swine.
8:32. And he said to them: Go. But they going out went into the swine, and behold the whole herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea: and they perished in the waters.
8:33. And they that kept them fled: and coming into the city, told every thing, and concerning them that had been possessed by the devils.
8:34. And behold the whole city went out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart from their coast.
Matthew Chapter 9
Christ heals one sick of palsy: calls Matthew: cures the issue of blood: raises to life the daughter of Jairus: gives sight to two blind men: and heals a dumb man possessed by the devil.
9:1. And entering into a boat, he passed over the water and came into his own city.
9:2. And behold they brought to him one sick of the palsy lying in a bed. And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the man sick of the palsy: Be of good heart, son, thy sins are forgiven thee.
9:3. And behold some of the scribes said within themselves: He blasphemeth.
9:4. And Jesus seeing their thoughts, said: Why do you think evil in your hearts?
9:5. Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee: or to say, Arise, and walk?
9:6. But that you may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then said he to the man sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go into thy house.
9:7. And he arose, and went into his house.
9:8. And the multitude seeing it, feared, and glorified God that gave such power to men.
9:9. And when Jesus passed on from thence, he saw a man sitting in the custom house, named Matthew; and he saith to him: Follow me. And he arose up and followed him.
9:10. And it came to pass as he was sitting at meat in the house, behold many publicans and sinners came, and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.
9:11. And the Pharisees seeing it, said to his disciples: Why doth your master eat with publicans and sinners?
9:12. But Jesus hearing it, said: They that are in health need not a physician, but they that are ill.
9:13. Go then and learn what this meaneth, I will have mercy and not sacrifice. For I am not come to call the just, but sinners.
9:14. Then came to him the disciples of John, saying: Why do we and the Pharisees, fast often, but thy disciples do not fast?
9:15. And Jesus said to them: Can the children of the bridegroom mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then they shall fast.
Can the children of the bridegroom. . .This, by a Hebraism, signifies the friends or companions of the bridegroom.
9:16. And nobody putteth a piece of raw cloth unto an old garment. For it taketh away the fulness thereof from the garment, and there is made a greater rent.
9:17. Neither do they put new wine into old bottles. Otherwise the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish. But new wine they put into new bottles: and both are preserved.
9:18. As he was speaking these things unto them, behold a certain ruler came up, and adored him, saying: Lord, my daughter is even now dead; but come, lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.
9:19. And Jesus rising up followed him, with his disciples.
9:20. And behold a woman who was troubled with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment.
9:21. For she said within herself: If I shall touch only his garment, I shall be healed.
9:22. But Jesus turning and seeing her, said: Be of good heart, daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
9:23. And when Jesus was come into the house of the ruler, and saw the minstrels and the multitude making a rout,
9:24. He said: Give place, for the girl is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
9:25. And when the multitude was put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand. And the maid arose.
9:26. And the fame hereof went abroad into all that country.
9:27. And as Jesus passed from thence, there followed him two blind men crying out and saying, Have mercy on us, O Son of David.
9:28. And when he was come to the house, the blind men came to him. And Jesus saith to them, Do you believe, that I can do this unto you? They say to him, Yea, Lord.
9:29. Then he touched their eyes, saying, According to your faith, be it done unto you.
9:30. And their eyes were opened, and Jesus strictly charged them, saying, See that no man know this.
9:31. But they going out, spread his fame abroad in all that country.
9:32. And when they were gone out, behold they brought him a dumb man, possessed with a devil.
9:33. And after the devil was cast out, the dumb man spoke, and the multitudes wondered, saying, Never was the like seen in Israel.
9:34. But the Pharisees said, By the prince of devils he casteth out devils.
9:35. And Jesus went about all the cities and towns, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease, and every infirmity.
9:36. And seeing the multitudes, he had compassion on them: because they were distressed, and lying like sheep that have no shepherd.
9:37. Then he saith to his disciples, The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few.
9:38. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth labourers into his harvest.
Matthew Chapter 10
Christ sends out his twelve apostles, with the power of miracles. The lessons he gives them.
10:1. And having called his twelve disciples together, he gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of diseases, and all manner of infirmities.
10:2. And the names of the twelve Apostles are these: The first, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother,
10:3. James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the publican, and James the son of Alpheus, and Thaddeus,
10:4. Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
10:5. These twelve Jesus sent: commanding them, saying: Go ye not into the way of the Gentiles, and into the city of the Samaritans enter ye not.
10:6. But go ye rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
10:7. And going, preach, saying: The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
10:8. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils: freely have you received, freely give.
10:9. Do not possess gold, nor silver, nor money in your purses:
10:10. Nor scrip for your journey, nor two coats, nor shoes, nor a staff; for the workman is worthy of his meat.
10:11. And into whatsoever city or town you shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and there abide till you go thence.
10:12. And when you come into the house, salute it, saying: Peace be to this house.
10:13. And if that house be worthy, your peace shall come upon it; but if it be not worthy, your peace shall return to you.
10:14. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words: going forth out of that house or city shake off the dust from your feet.
10:15. Amen I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
10:16. Behold I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be ye therefore wise as serpents and simple as doves.
Simple. . .That is, harmless, plain, sincere, and without guile.
10:17. But beware of men. For they will deliver you up in councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues.
10:18. And you shall be brought before governors, and before kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles:
10:19. But when they shall deliver you up, take no thought how or what to speak: for it shall be given you in that hour what to speak:
10:20. For it is not you that speak, but the spirit of your Father that speaketh in you.
10:21. The brother also shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the son; and the children shall rise up against their parents, and shall put them to death.
10:22. And you shall be hated by all men for my name's sake: but he that shall persevere unto the end, he shall be saved.
10:23. And when they shall persecute you in this city, flee into another. Amen I say to you, you shall not finish all the cities of Israel, till the Son of man come.
10:24. The disciple is not above the master, nor the servant above his lord.
10:25. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the good man of the house Beelzebub, how much more them of his household?
10:26. Therefore fear them not. For nothing is covered that shall not be revealed: nor hid, that shall not be known.
10:27. That which I tell you in the dark, speak ye in the light: and that which you hear in the ear, preach ye upon the housetops.
10:28. And fear ye not them that kill the body, and are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him that can destroy both soul and body in hell.
10:29. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father.
10:30. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
10:31. Fear not therefore: better are you than many sparrows.
10:32. Every one therefore that shall confess me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven.
10:33. But he that shall deny me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven.
10:34. Do not think that I came to send peace upon earth: I came not to send peace, but the sword.
10:35. For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
I came to set a man at variance, etc. . .Not that this was the end or design of the coming of our Saviour; but that his coming and his doctrine would have this effect, by reason of the obstinate resistance that many would make, and of their persecuting all such as should adhere to him.
10:36. And a man's enemies shall be they of his own household.
10:37. He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me.
10:38. And he that taketh not up his cross, and followeth me, is not worthy of me.
10:39. He that findeth his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for me, shall find it.
10:40. He that receiveth you, receiveth me: and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me.
10:41. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive the reward of a prophet: and he that receiveth a just man in the name of a just man, shall receive the reward of a just man.
10:42. And whosoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, amen I say to you he shall not lose his reward.
Matthew Chapter 11
John sends his disciples to Christ, who upbraids the Jews for their incredulity, and calls to him such as are sensible of their burdens.
11:1. And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he passed from thence, to teach and to preach in their cities.
11:2. Now when John had heard in prison the works of Christ: sending two of his disciples he said to him:
11:3. Art thou he that art to come, or look we for another?
11:4. And Jesus making answer said to them: Go and relate to John what you have heard and seen.
11:5. The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise again, the poor have the gospel preached to them.
11:6. And blessed is he that shall not be scandalized in me.
Scandalized in me. . .That is, who shall not take occasion of scandal or offence from my humility, and the disgraceful death of the cross which I shall endure.
11:7. And when they went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: What went you out into the desert to see? a reed shaken with the wind?
11:8. But what went you out to see? a man clothed in soft garments? Behold they that are clothed in soft garments, are in the houses of kings.
11:9. But what went you out to see? A prophet? Yea I tell you, and more than a prophet.
11:10. For this is he of whom it is written: Behold I send my angel before my face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.
11:11. Amen I say to you, there hath not risen among them that are born of women a greater than John the Baptist: yet he that is the lesser in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
11:12. And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent bear it away.
Suffereth violence, etc. . .It is not to be obtained but by main force, by using violence upon ourselves, by mortification and penance, and resisting our perverse inclinations.
11:13. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John:
11:14. And if you will receive it, he is Elias that is to come.
He is Elias, etc. . .Not in person, but in spirit. St. Luke 1. 17.
11:15. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
11:16. But whereunto shall I esteem this generation to be like? It is like to children sitting in the market place.
11:17. Who crying to their companions say: We have piped to you, and you have not danced: we have lamented, and you have not mourned.
11:18. For John came neither eating nor drinking; and they say: He hath a devil.
11:19. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say: Behold a man that is a glutton and a wine drinker, a friend of publicans and sinners. And wisdom is justified by her children.
11:20. Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein were done the most of his miracles, for that they had not done penance.
11:21. Woe thee, Corozain, woe to thee, Bethsaida: for if in Tyre and Sidon had been wrought the miracles that have been wrought in you, they had long ago done penance in sackcloth and ashes.
11:22. But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment, than for you.
11:23. And thou Capharnaum, shalt thou be exalted up to heaven? thou shalt go down even unto hell. For if in Sodom had been wrought the miracles that have been wrought in thee, perhaps it had remained unto this day.
11:24. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for thee.
11:25. At that time Jesus answered and said: I confess to thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to little ones.
11:26. Yea, Father: for so hath it seemed good in thy sight.
11:27. All things are delivered to me by my Father. And no one knoweth the Son but the Father: neither doth any one know the Father, but the Son, and he to whom it shall please the Son to reveal him.
11:28. Come to me all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you.
11:29. Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: And you shall find rest to your souls.
11:30. For my yoke is sweet and my burden light.
Matthew Chapter 12
Christ reproves the blindness of the Pharisees, and confutes their attributing his miracles to Satan.
12:1. At that time Jesus went through the corn on the sabbath: and his disciples being hungry, began to pluck the ears, and to eat.
12:2. And the Pharisees seeing them, said to him: Behold thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days.
12:3. But he said to them: Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and they that were with him:
12:4. How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the loaves of proposition, which it was not lawful for him to eat, nor for them that were with him, but for the priests only?
The loaves of proposition. . .So were called the twelve loaves which were placed before the sanctuary in the temple of God.
12:5. Or have ye not read in the law, that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple break the sabbath, and are without blame?
12:6. But I tell you that there is here a greater than the temple.
12:7. And if you knew what this meaneth: I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: you would never have condemned the innocent.
12:8. For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath.
12:9. And when he had passed from thence, he came into their synagogues.
12:10. And behold there was a man who had a withered hand, and they asked him, saying: Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
12:11. But he said to them: What man shall there be among you, that hath one sheep: and if the same fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not take hold on it and lift it up?
12:12. How much better is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do a good deed on the sabbath days.
12:13. Then he saith to the man: Stretch forth thy hand; and he stretched it forth, and it was restored to health even as the other.
12:14. And the Pharisees going out made a consultation against him, how they might destroy him.
12:15. But Jesus knowing it, retired from thence: and many followed him, and he healed them all.
12:16. And he charged them that they should not make him known.
12:17. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaias the prophet, saying:
12:18. Behold my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul hath been well pleased. I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
12:19. He shall not contend, nor cry out, neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
12:20. The bruised reed he shall not break: and smoking flax he shall not extinguish: till he send forth judgment unto victory.
12:21. And in his name the Gentiles shall hope.
12:22. Then was offered to him one possessed with a devil, blind and dumb: and he healed him, so that he spoke and saw.
12:23. And all the multitudes were amazed, and said: Is not this the son of David?
12:24. But the Pharisees hearing it, said: This man casteth not out devils but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
12:25. And Jesus knowing their thoughts, said to them: Every kingdom divided against itself shall be made desolate: and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.
12:26. And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself: how then shall his kingdom stand?
12:27. And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges.
12:28. But if I by the Spirit of God cast out devils, then is the kingdom of God come upon you.
12:29. Or how can any one enter into the house of the strong, and rifle his goods, unless he first bind the strong? and then he will rifle his house.
12:30. He that is not with me, is against me: and he that gathereth not with me, scattereth.
12:31. Therefore I say to you: Every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men, but the blasphemy of the Spirit shall not be forgiven.
The blasphemy of the Spirit. . .The sin here spoken of is that blasphemy, by which the Pharisees attributed the miracles of Christ, wrought by the Spirit of God, to Beelzebub the prince of devils. Now this kind of sin is usually accompanied with so much obstinacy, and such wilful opposing the Spirit of God, and the known truth, that men who are guilty of it, are seldom or never converted: and therefore are never forgiven, because they will not repent. Otherwise there is no sin, which God cannot or will not forgive to such as sincerely repent, and have recourse to the keys of the church.
12:32. And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but he that shall speak against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him neither in this world, nor in the world to come.
Nor in the world to come. . .From these words St. Augustine (De Civ. Dei, lib. 21, c. 13) and St. Gregory (Dialog., 4, c. 39) gather, that some sins may be remitted in the world to come; and, consequently, that there is a purgatory or a middle place.
12:33. Either make the tree good and its fruit good: or make the tree evil, and its fruit evil. For by the fruit the tree is known.
12:34. O generation of vipers, how can you speak good things, whereas you are evil? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
12:35. A good man out of a good treasure bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of an evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
12:36. But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall render an account for it in the day of judgment.
Every idle word. . .This shews there must be a place of temporal punishment hereafter where