thomas jefferson - the life and morals of jesus of nazareth

8/14/2019 Thomas Jefferson - The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth

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THE JEFFERSON BIBLE

The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth Extracted Textually from the Gospels

Compiled by Thomas JeffersonEdited by Eyler Robert Coates, r!

Copyri"ht #$$% by Eyler Robert Coates, r! &ermission is hereby "ranted to any indi'idual to copy any or

all the materials contained herein for non(commercial personaluse! &ublication of these materials in )hole or in part in anyform )hatsoe'er is by )ritten permission only!

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C+&TER #!

No) it came to pass in those days, that there )ent out a decree from Caesar u"ustus that all the )orld should be enrolled! - .nd this enrollment )as the first )hich )as made )hen /uirinius, )as "o'ernor of yria!0 1 nd all )ent to be enrolled, e'ery one into his o)n city!

2 nd Joseph also )ent up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of 3a'id, )hich is called 4ethlehem, because he )as of the house and linea"e of 3a'id, 5 To be enrolled )ith Mary his betrothed, bein" then )ith child! % nd so it )as, that, )hile they )ere there, the days )ere accomplished that she should be deli'ered! 6 nd she brou"ht forth her firstborn son, and )rapped him in s)addlin" clothes, and laid him in a man"er7 because there )as no room for them in the inn! 8 nd )hen ei"ht days )ere accomplished for the circumcisin" of the child, his name )as called JE9! $ nd )hen they had performed all thin"s accordin" to the la) of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their o)n city Nazareth! #: nd the child "re), and )axed stron" in spirit, filled )ith )isdom; and the "race of God )as upon him!

nd )hen he )as t)el'e years old, they )ent up to


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Jerusalem, unto the feast accordin" to the custom! #- nd )hen they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem7 and his parents


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them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen7 and poured out the chan"ers= coins, and o'erthre) their tables7 1- nd said unto them that sold do'es, Ta


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tau"ht them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes!

t that time Jesus )ent on the sabbath day throu"h the corn fields7 and his disciples )ere an hun"red, and be"an to pluc< the ears of corn and to eat! 5: 4ut )hen the &harisees sa) it, they said unto him, 4ehold, thy disciples do that )hich is not la)ful to do upon the sabbath day! 5# 4ut he said unto them, +a'e ye not read )hat 3a'id did, )hen he )as an hun"red, and they that )ere )ith him7 5- +o) he entered into the house of God, and did eat the she)bread, )hich )as not la)ful for him to eat, neither for them )hich )ere )ith him, but only for the priests@ 51 Dr ha'e ye not read in the la), ho) that on the

sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are "uiltless@

nd )hen he )as departed thence, he )ent into their syna"o"ue; 55 nd, behold, there )as a man )hich had his hand )ithered! nd they as


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imon called the Fealot, %5 nd Judas the son of James, and Judas Ascariot, )ho became a traitor! %% nd he came do)n )ith them, and stood in the plain7 and there )as a "reat company of his disciples, and a "reat multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and idon, )hich came to hear him!

C+&TER -!

nd seein" the multitudes, he )ent up into a mountain; and )hen he )as set do)n, his disciples came unto him; - nd he opened his mouth, and tau"ht them, sayin", 1 4lessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the


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its sa'our, )here)ith shall it a"ain be salted@ it is thenceforth "ood for nothin", but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot by men! #6 e are the li"ht of the )orld! city that is set on an hill cannot be hid! #8 Neither do men li"ht a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a lampstand7 and it "i'eth li"ht unto all that are in the house! #$ Let your li"ht so shine before men, that they may see your "ood )or


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e ha'e heard that it )as said, Thou shalt not commit

adultery; 1# 4ut A say unto you, That )hosoe'er loo


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thy nei"hbour, and hate thine enemy! 26 4ut A say unto you, Lo'e your enemies, pray for them that persecute you7 28 That ye may be the children of your Bather )hich is in hea'en; for he ma


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-% 4ehold the fo)ls of the air; for they so) not, neither do they reap, nor "ather into barns7 yet your hea'enly Bather feedeth them! re ye not of much more 'alue than they@ -6 hich of you by bein" concerned can add one hour to his life@ -8 nd )hy are ye concerned for raiment@ Consider the lilies of the field, ho) they "ro)7 they toil not, neither do they spin; -$ nd yet A say unto you, That e'en olomon in all his "lory )as not arrayed liud"ed; and )ith )hat measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you a"ain! 16 Gi'e, and it shall be "i'en unto you7 "ood measure, pressed do)n, and sha


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21 Bor e'ery one that asud"ment! 58 Bor by thy )ords thou shalt be >ustified, and by thy )ords thou shalt be condemned!

Therefore )hosoe'er heareth these sayin"s of mine, and doeth them, shall be li


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)hich built his house upon the sand; %- nd the rain descended, and the floods came, and the )inds ble), and beat upon that house7 and it fell; and "reat )as the fall of it! %1 nd it came to pass, )hen Jesus had ended these sayin"s, the people )ere astonished at his teachin"; %2 Bor he tau"ht them as one ha'in" authority, and not as their scribes!

C+&TER 2!

hen he )as come do)n from the mountain, "reat multitudes follo)ed him! - nd he )ent round about the 'illa"es, teachin"!

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are hea'y laden,

and A )ill "i'e you rest! 2 Ta


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eest thou this )oman@ A entered into thine house, thou "a'est me no )ater for my feet; but she hath )ashed my feet )ith her tears, and )iped them )ith the hairs of her head! #5 Thou "a'est me no


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not in the abundance of the thin"s )hich he possesseth! 1- nd he spa


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5: Bor )here your treasure is, there )ill your heart be also! 5# Let your loins be "irded about, and your lamps burnin"7 5- nd ye yoursel'es li


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%% nd )hen ye see the south )ind blo), ye say, There )ill be heat7 and it cometh to pass! %6 e hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sud"e ye not )hat is ri"ht@ %$ hile thou "oest )ith thine ad'ersary to the ma"istrate, as thou art in the )ay, "i'e dili"ence that thou mayest be deli'ered from him7 lest he hale thee to the >ud"e, and the >ud"e deli'er thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison! 6: A tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the 'ery last mite!

C+&TER 5!

There )ere present at that season some that told him

of the Galileans, )hose blood &ilate had min"led )ith their sacrifices! - nd Jesus ans)erin" said unto them, uppose ye that these Galileans )ere sinners abo'e all the Galileans, because they suffered such thin"s@ 1 A tell you, Nay; but, except ye repent, ye shall all li


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ma


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1- nd )hen he )as alone, they that )ere about him )ith the t)el'e as


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to"ether first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but "ather the )heat into my barn!

Then he departed from the multitude, and )ent into the house; and his disciples came unto him, sayin", 3eclare unto us the parable of the tares of the field! 5: +e ans)ered and said unto them, +e that so)eth the "ood seed is the on of man7 5# The field is the )orld7 the "ood seed are the children of the


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li


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and he said unto him, Bollo) me! 8 nd he left all, rose up, and follo)ed him! $ nd Le'i made him a "reat feast in his house; and there )as a "reat company of publicans and #: Many publicans and sinners sat also to"ether )ith Jesus and his disciples; for there )ere many, and they follo)ed him! ## nd )hen the scribes )hich )ere &harisees sa) him eat )ith publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, +o) is it that he eateth and drin


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Asrael! -5 Taourney, neither t)o coats, neither shoes, nor yet a staff; for the )or


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21 nd the apostles "athered themsel'es to"ether unto Jesus, and told him all thin"s, both )hat they had done, and )hat they had tau"ht!

fter these thin"s Jesus )al


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C+&TER 6!

t the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, sayin", ho is the "reatest in the


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Then came &eter to him, and said, Lord, ho) oft shall my

brother sin a"ainst me, and A for"i'e him@ till se'en times@ #5 Jesus saith unto him, A say not unto thee, 9ntil se'en times; but, 9ntil se'enty times se'en!

Therefore is the


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the labourers are fe); pray ye therefore the Lord of the har'est, that he )ould send forth labourers into his har'est! 1# Go your )ays; behold, A send you forth as lambs amon" )ol'es! 1- Carry neither purse, nor ba", nor shoes; and salute no man by the )ay! 11 nd into )hatsoe'er house ye enter, first say, &eace be to this house! 12 nd if a son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon him; if not, it shall turn to you a"ain! 15 nd in the same house remain, eatin" and drin


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here is he@ 5: nd there )as much murmurin" amon" the people concernin" him; for some said, +e is a "ood man; others said, Nay7 but he decei'eth the people! 5# +o)beit no man spa


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6: 4ut this people )ho


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his parents; but that the )orustify himself, said unto Jesus, nd )ho is my nei"hbour@ 1: nd Jesus ans)erin" said, certain man )ent do)n from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell amon" thie'es, )hich stripped him of his raiment, and beat him, and departed, lea'in" him half dead! 1# nd by chance there came do)n a certain priest


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that )ay; and )hen he sa) him, he passed by on the other side! 1- nd li


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him a serpent@ 2$ Dr if he shall as< an e"", )ill he offer him a scorpion@ 5: Af ye then, bein" e'il,


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recompense thee; for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the >ust! Then said he unto him, certain man made a "reat feast, and bade many; #% nd sent his ser'ant at the time of the feasst to say to them that )ere bidden, Come7 for all thin"s are no) ready! #6 nd they all )ith one consent be"an to ma


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lose one of them, doth not lea'e the ninety and nine in the )ilderness, and "o after that )hich is lost, until he find it@ 11 nd )hen he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, re>oicin"! 12 nd )hen he cometh home, he calleth to"ether his friends and nei"hbours, sayin" unto them, Re>oice )ith me7 for A ha'e found my sheep )hich )as lost! 15 A say unto you, that lioy shall be in hea'en o'er one sinner that repenteth, more than o'er ninety and nine >ust persons, )hich need no repentance! 1% Either )hat )oman ha'in" ten pieces of sil'er, if she lose one piece, doth not li"ht a lamp, and s)eep the house, and see< dili"ently till she find it@ 16 nd )hen she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her nei"hbours to"ether, sayin", Re>oice )ith me7 for A ha'e found the piece )hich A had lost!

18 Lioy in the presence of the an"els of God o'er one sinner that repenteth! 1$ nd he said, certain man had t)o sons; 2: nd the youn"er of them said to his father, Bather, "i'e me the portion of "oods that falleth to me! nd he di'ided unto them his li'in"! 2# nd not many days after, the youn"er son "athered all to"ether, and too< his >ourney into a far country, and there )asted his substance )ith riotous li'in"! 2- nd )hen he had spent all, there arose a mi"hty

famine in that land7 and he be"an to be in )ant! 21 nd he )ent and >oined himself to a citizen of that country7 and he sent him into his fields to feed s)ine! 22 nd he )ould fain ha'e filled his belly )ith the hus


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to be called thy son! 5: 4ut the father said to his ser'ants, 4rin" forth)ith the best robe, and put it on him7 and put a rin" on his hand, and shoes on his feet; 5# nd brin" hither the fatted calf, and


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% nd he said, n hundred measures of oil! nd he said unto him, Taustify yoursel'es before men7 but God


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torments, and seeth braham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom! -- nd he cried and said, Bather braham, ha'e mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his fin"er in )ater, and cool my ton"ue7 for A am tormented in this flame! -1 4ut braham said, on, remember that thou in thy lifetime recei'edst thy "ood thin"s, and li


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thin"s )hich are commanded you, say, e are unprofitable ser'ants; )e ha'e done only that )hich )as our duty to do! 18 nd )hen he )as demanded of the &harisees, )hen the nd he spaud"e, )hich feared not God, neither re"arded man; 5# nd there )as a )ido) in that city7 and she came unto him, sayin", Render >ustice for me a"ainst mine ad'ersary! 5- nd he )ould not for a )hile; but after)ard he said )ithin himself, Thou"h A fear not God, nor re"ard man7 51 et because this )ido) troubleth me, A )ill render her >ustice, lest by her continual comin" she )eary me! 52 nd the Lord said, +ear )hat the unri"hteous >ud"e saith!


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55 nd shall not God render >ustice for his o)n elect, )hich cry day and ni"ht unto him@ hall he delay lon" o'er them@ 5% A tell you that he )ill a'en"e them speedily! Ne'ertheless )hen the on of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth@ 56 nd he spa


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sayin" unto him, As it la)ful for a man to put a)ay his )ife for any cause@ 2 nd he ans)ered and said unto them, +a'e ye not read, that he )hich made them at the be"innin" made them male and female, 5 nd said, Bor this cause shall a man lea'e father and mother, and shall clea'e to his )ife; and they t)ain shall be one flesh@ % herefore they are no more t)ain, but one flesh! hat therefore God hath >oined to"ether, let not man put asunder! 6 They say unto him, hy did Moses then command to "i'e a )ritin" of di'orcement, and to put her a)ay@ 8 +e saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put a)ay your )i'es; but from the be"innin" it )as not so! $ nd A say unto you, hosoe'er shall put a)ay his

)ife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery!

The disciples say unto him, Af the case of the man be so )ith his )ife, it is not "ood to marry! ## 4ut he said unto them, ll men cannot recei'e this sayin", sa'e they to )hom it is "i'en! #- Bor there are some eunuchs, )hich )ere so born from their mother=s )omb; and there are some eunuchs, )hich )ere made eunuchs of men; and there be eunuchs, )hich ha'e made themsel'es eunuchs for the


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not steal, Thou shalt not bear false )itness, #$ +onour thy father and thy mother; and, Thou shalt lo'e thy nei"hbour as thyself! -: The youn" man saith unto him, ll these thin"s ha'e A


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16 nd )hen they had recei'ed it, they murmured a"ainst the "oodman of the house, 18 ayin", These last ha'e laboured but one hour, and thou hast made them e?ual unto us, )hich ha'e borne the burden and heat of the day! 1$ 4ut he ans)ered one of them, and said, Briend, A do thee no )ron"; didst not thou a"ree )ith me for a denarius@ 2: Ta


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them ten pounds, and said unto them, 3o business )ith this till A come! 5% 4ut his citizens hated him, and sent an embassy after him, sayin", e )ill not ha'e this man to rei"n o'er us! 56 nd it came to pass, that )hen he )as returned, ha'in" recei'ed the


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to 4ethpha"e, unto the mount of Dli'es, then sent Jesus t)o disciples, - ayin" unto them, Go into the 'illa"e )hich is before you, and strai"ht)ay ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt )ith her; loose them, and brin" them unto me! 1 nd if any man say ou"ht unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them7 and strai"ht)ay he )ill send them! 2 nd the disciples )ent, and did as Jesus commanded them, 5 nd brou"ht the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and he sat thereon! % nd a 'ery "reat multitude spread their "arments in the )ay7 others cut do)n branches from the trees, and stre)ed them in the )ay! 6 nd )hen he )as come into Jerusalem, all the city )as mo'ed, sayin", ho is this@

8 The &harisees therefore said amon" themsel'es, &ercei'e ye ho) ye pre'ail nothin"@ behold, the )orld is "one after him! $ No) there )ere certain Gree


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nd they come a"ain to Jerusalem; and as he )as )al


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denarius! 56 nd he saith unto them, hose is this ima"e and superscription@ 58 They say unto him, Caesar=s! Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the thin"s )hich are Caesar=s7 and unto God the thin"s that are God=s! 5$ hen they had heard these )ords, they mar'elled, and left him, and )ent their )ay!

The same day came to him the adducees, )hich say that there is no resurrection, and as


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prophets! 6% nd the scribe said unto him, Thou spea


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hell than yoursel'es! #% oe unto you, ye blind "uides, )hich say, hosoe'er shall s)ear by the temple, it is nothin"7 but )hosoe'er shall s)ear by the "old of the temple, he is bound thereby #6 e fools and blind; for )hether is "reater, the "old, or the temple that sanctifieth the "old@ #8 nd, hosoe'er shall s)ear by the altar, it is nothin"7 but )hosoe'er s)eareth by the "ift that is upon it, he is bound thereby! #$ e blind men; for )hether is "reater, the "ift, or the altar that sanctifieth the "ift@ -: hoso therefore shall s)ear by the altar, s)eareth by it, and by all thin"s thereon! -# nd )hoso shall s)ear by the temple, s)eareth by it, and by him that d)elleth therein! -- nd he that shall s)ear by hea'en, s)eareth by the

throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon! -1 oe unto you, scribes and &harisees, hypocrites for ye pay tithe of mint and dill and cummin, and ha'e omitted the )ei"htier matters of the la), >ustice, mercy, and faith; these ou"ht ye to ha'e done, )ithout lea'in" the other undone! -2 e blind "uides, )hich strain out a "nat, and s)allo) a camel! -5 oe unto you, scribes and &harisees, hypocrites for ye ma


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escape the condemnation of hell@

nd Jesus sat opposite the treasury, and beheld ho) the people cast money into the treasury; and many that )ere rich cast in much! 15 nd there came a certain poor )ido), and she thre) in t)o mites, )hich ma

No) learn a parable from the fi" tree7 hen its branch is yet tender, and putteth forth lea'es, ye


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comin" of the on of man be! 5# Bor as in the days that )ere before the flood they )ere eatin" and drin


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and slept! % nd at midni"ht there )as a cry made, 4ehold, the bride"room Go ye out to meet him! 6 Then all those 'ir"ins arose, and trimmed their lamps! 8 nd the foolish said unto the )ise, Gi'e us of your oil7 for our lamps are "one out! $ 4ut the )ise ans)ered, sayin", Not so7 lest there be not enou"h for us and you; but "o ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yoursel'es! #: nd )hile they )ent to buy, the bride"room came7 and they that )ere ready )ent in )ith him to the marria"e feast7 and the door )as shut! ## fter)ard came also the other 'ir"ins, sayin", Lord, Lord, open to us! #- 4ut he ans)ered and said, Herily A say unto you, A


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-2 Then he )hich had recei'ed the one talent came and said, Lord, A


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2# hen sa) )e thee a stran"er, and in'ited thee in@ or na


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)hensoe'er ye )ill ye may do them "ood; but me ye ha'e not al)ays! 8 he hath done )hat she could; she is come aforehand to anoint my body for buryin"!

Then one of the t)el'e, called Judas Ascariot, )ent unto the chief priests, #: nd said unto them, hat )ill ye "i'e me if A )ill deli'er him unto you@ nd they )ei"hed unto him thirty pieces of sil'er! ## nd from that time he sou"ht opportunity to betray him!

No) the first day of the feast of unlea'ened bread the disciples came to Jesus, sayin" unto him, here )ilt thou that )e prepare for thee to eat the passo'er@ #1 nd he said, Go into the city to a certain man,

and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand7 A )ill


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-% imon &eter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head! -6 Jesus saith to him, +e that has )ashed needeth not sa'e to )ash his feet, but is clean e'ery )hit; and ye are clean, but not all! -8 Bor he


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2% A am ready to "o )ith thee, both into prison, and to death! 26 nd he said, A tell thee, &eter, the coc< shall not cro) this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou


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homsoe'er A shall


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)hich these )itness a"ainst thee@ 2: 4ut he held his peace, and ans)ered nothin"! "ain the hi"h priest as


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had said this, he )ent out a"ain unto the Je)s, and saith unto them, A find in him no fault at all! 56 4ut they )ere the more fierce, sayin", +e stirreth up the people, teachin" throu"hout all Judea, be"innin" from Galilee to this place! 58 Then said &ilate unto him, +earest thou not ho) many thin"s they )itness a"ainst thee@ 5$ hen &ilate heard of Galilee, he as


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Moreo'er, )hile he )as set do)n on the >ud"ment seat,

his )ife sent unto him, sayin", +a'e thou nothin" to do )ith that >ust man; for A ha'e suffered many thin"s this day in a dream because of him! % 4ut the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should as< for 4arabbas, and destroy Jesus! 6 The "o'ernor ans)ered and said unto them, hether of the t)ain )ill ye that A release unto you@ They said, 4arabbas! 8 &ilate saith unto them, hat shall A do then )ith Jesus )hich is called Christ@ They all say unto him, Let him be crucified! $ nd the "o'ernor said, hy, )hat e'il hath he done@ 4ut they cried out the more, sayin", Let him be crucified!

Then released he 4arabbas unto them; and )hen he had

scour"ed Jesus, he deli'ered him to be crucified! ## Then the soldiers of the "o'ernor too< Jesus into the &raetorium, and "athered unto him the )hole band of soldiers! #- nd )hen they had platted a cro)n of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his ri"ht hand; and they bo)ed the


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nd as they led him a)ay, they laid hold upon one imon

of Cyrene, comin" out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he mi"ht bear it after Jesus! -- nd there follo)ed him a "reat company of people, and of )omen, )hich be)ailed and lamented him! -1 4ut Jesus turnin" unto them said, 3au"hters of Jerusalem, )eep not for me, but )eep for yoursel'es, and for your children! -2 Bor, behold, the days are comin", in the )hich they shall say, 4lessed are the barren, and the )ombs that ne'er bare, and the paps )hich ne'er "a'e suc

place )here Jesus )as crucified )as ni"h to the city; and it )as )ritten in +ebre), and Latin, and Gree


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18 Li


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cross on the sabbath, .for that sabbath )as an hi"h day,0 besou"ht &ilate that their le"s mi"ht be bro


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thomas jefferson - the life and morals of jesus of nazareth

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