Diatessaron (Gospel Harmony) 7–9

English translation by Hope W. Hogg (1896); the original is not shown

Section VII. [1] And in the morning of that day he went out very early, and went to a [2] desert place, and was there praying. And Simon and those that were with [3] him sought him. And when they found him, they said unto him, All the people seek for [4] thee. He said unto them, Let us go into the adjacent villages and towns, that I may [5] preach there also; for to this end did I come. And the multitudes were seeking him, and came till they reached him; and they took hold of him, that he should not [6] go away from them. But Jesus said unto them, I must preach of the kingdom of [7] God in other cities also: for because of this gospel was I sent. And Jesus was going about all the cities and the villages, and teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all the diseases and all the sicknesses, [8] and casting out the devils. And his fame became known that he was teaching in [9] every place and being glorified by every man. And when he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphæus sitting among the tax-gatherers; and he said unto him, Follow [10] me: and he rose and followed him. And the news of him was heard of in all the land of Syria: and they brought unto him all those whom grievous ills had befallen through divers diseases, and those that were enduring torment, and those that were possessed, and lunatics, and paralytics; and he healed them. [11, 12] And after some days Jesus entered into Capernaum again. And when they heard that he was in the house, many gathered, so that it could not hold them, even about [13] the door; and he made known to them the word of God. And there were there some of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, sitting, come from all the villages of Galilee, and Judæa, and Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was [14] present to heal them. And some men brought a bed with a man on it who was paralytic. [15] And they sought to bring him in and lay him before him. And when they found no way to bring him in because of the multitude of people, they went up to the roof, and let him down with his bed from the roofing, into the midst before Jesus. [16] And when Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the paralytic, My son, thy sins are forgiven [17] thee. And the scribes and Pharisees began to think within their hearts, Why doth this man blaspheme? Who is it that is able to forgive sins, but God alone? [18] And Jesus knew by the spirit that they were thinking this within themselves, and he [19] said unto them, Why do ye think this within your heart? Which is better, that it should be said to the paralytic, Thy sins are forgiven thee, or that it should be said [20] to him, Arise, and take thy bed, and walk? That ye may know that the Son of man [21] is empowered on earth to forgive sins (and he said to the paralytic), I say unto thee, [22] Arise, take thy bed, and go to thine house. And he rose forthwith, and took his bed, and went out in the presence of all. And he went to his house praising God. [23] And when those multitudes saw, they feared; and amazement took possession of [24] them, and they praised God, who had given such power to men. And they said, We have seen marvellous things to-day, of which we have never before seen the like. [25] And after that, Jesus went out, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting [26] among the publicans: and he said unto him, Follow me. And he left [27] everything, and rose, and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his house. And there was a great multitude of the publicans and others sitting with him. [28] And the scribes and Pharisees murmured, and said unto his disciples, Why do ye eat [29] and drink with the publicans and sinners? Jesus answered and said unto them, The physician seeketh not those who are well, but those that are afflicted with grievous [30, 31] sickness. I came not to call the righteous, but the sinners, to repentance. And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast always, and pray, and the [32] Pharisees also, but thy disciples eat and drink? He said unto them, Ye cannot make [33] the sons of the marriage feast fast, while the bridegroom is with them. Days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them; then will they fast in those [34] days. And he spake unto them a parable: No man inserteth a new patch and seweth it in a worn garment, lest the newness of the new take from the worn, and [35] there occur a great rent. And no man putteth fresh wine into old skins, lest the wine burst the skins, and the skins be destroyed, and the wine spilled; but they put [36] the fresh wine in the new skins, and both are preserved. And no man drinketh old wine and straightway desireth fresh; for he saith, The old is better. [37] And while Jesus was walking on the sabbath day among the sown fields, his disciples hungered. And they were rubbing the ears with their hands, and [38] eating. But some of the Pharisees, when they saw them, said unto him, See, [39] why do thy disciples on the sabbath day that which is not lawful? But Jesus said unto them, Have ye not read in olden time what David did, when he had need and [40] hungered, he and those that were with him? how he entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the table of the Lord, which it was not lawful that any should eat, save the priests, and gave to them that were with him also? [41] And he said unto them, The sabbath was created because of man, and man was not [42] created because of the sabbath. Or have ye not read in the law, that the priests in [43] the temple profane the sabbath, and yet they are blameless? I say unto you now, [44] that here is what is greater than the temple. If ye had known this: I love mercy, [45] not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned those on whom is no blame. The [46] Lord of the sabbath is the Son of man. And his relatives heard, and went out to take him, and said, He hath gone out of his mind. [47] And on the next sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and was teaching. [48] And there was there a man whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and the Pharisees were watching him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day, [49] that they might find the means of accusing him. But he knew their thoughts, and said unto the man whose hand was withered, Rise and come near into the midst of [50] the synagogue. And when he came and stood, Jesus said unto them, I ask you, which is lawful to be done on the sabbath day, good or evil? shall lives be saved or [51] destroyed? But they were silent. Regarding them with anger, being grieved because of the hardness of their hearts. And he said unto the man, Stretch out thy hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand became straight. [52] Then he said unto them, What man of you shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a [53] well on the sabbath day, will not take it and lift it out? And how much is man better than a sheep! Wherefore it is lawful on the sabbath to do good.

English translation by Hope W. Hogg (1896); the original is not shown

Section VIII. [1] And the Pharisees went out, and consulted together concerning him, that they [2] might destroy him. And Jesus perceived, and removed thence: and great multitudes [3] followed him; and he healed all of them: and he forbade them that they should [4] not make him known: that the saying in Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which said, [5] Behold, my servant with whom I am pleased; My beloved in whom my soul hath delighted: My spirit have I put upon him, And he shall proclaim to the nations judgement. [6] He shall not dispute, nor cry out; And no man shall hear his voice in the marketplace. [7] And a bruised reed shall he not break, And a smoking lamp shall he not extinguish, Until he shall bring forth judgement unto victory. [8] And the nations shall rejoice in his name. [9] And in those days Jesus went out to the mountain that he might pray, and he [10] spent the night there in prayer to God. And when the morning was come, he called the disciples. And he went towards the sea: and there followed him much people [11] from Galilee that he might pray, and from Judæa, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumæa, and from beyond Jordan, and from Tyre, and from Sidon, and from Decapolis; [12] and great multitudes came unto him, which had heard what he did. And he spake to his disciples to bring him the boat because of the multitudes, that they [13] might not throng him. And he healed many, so that they were almost falling on him on account of their seeking to get near him. And those that had [14] plagues and unclean spirits, as soon as they beheld him, would fall, and [15] cry out, and say, Thou art the Son of God. And he rebuked them much, that they [16] should not make him known. And those that were under the constraint of unclean [17] spirits were healed. And all of the crowd were seeking to come near him; because power went out from him, and he healed them all. [18, 19] And when Jesus saw the multitudes, he went up to the mountain. And he called his disciples, and chose from them twelve; and they are those whom he named [20] apostles: Simon, whom he named Cephas, and Andrew his brother, and James and [21] John, and Philip and Bartholomew, and Matthew and Thomas, and James the son [22] of Alphæus, and Simon which was called the Zealot, and Judas the son of James, [23] and Judas the Iscariot, being he that had betrayed him. And Jesus went down with them and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and the great [24] multitude of people. And these twelve he chose to be with him, and that he might [25] send them to preach, and to have power to heal the sick and to cast out devils. [26] Then he lifted up his eyes unto them, and opened his mouth, and taught them, and said, [27] Blessed are the poor in spirit: for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. [28] Blessed are the sorrowful: for they shall be comforted. [29] Blessed are the humble: for they shall inherit the earth. [30] Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be satisfied. [31] Blessed are the merciful: for on them shall be mercy. [32] Blessed are the pure in their hearts: for they shall see God. [33] Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the sons of God. [34] Blessed are they that were persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. [35] Blessed are ye when men shall hate you, and separate you from them, and persecute you, and reproach you, and shall speak against you with all evil talk, for my [36] sake, falsely. Then rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets before you. [37] But woe unto you rich! for ye have received your consolation. [38] Woe unto you that are satisfied! ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! ye shall weep and be sad. [39] Woe unto you when men praise you! for so did their fathers use to do to the false prophets. [40] Unto you do I say, ye which hear, Ye are the salt of the earth: if then the salt become tasteless, wherewith shall it be salted? For any purpose it is of no use, but [41] is thrown outside, and men tread upon it. Ye are the light of the world. It is [42] impossible that a city built on a mountain should be hid. Neither do they light a lamp and place it under a bushel, but on the lamp-stand, and it giveth light to all [43] who are in the house. So shall your light shine before men, that they may see [44] your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. There is nothing [45] secret that shall not be revealed, or hidden that shall not be known. Whoever hath ears that hear, let him hear. [46] Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets; I came not to destroy, [47] but to complete. Verily I say unto you, Until heaven and earth shall pass, there shall not pass one point or one letter of the law, until all of it shall be [48] accomplished. Every one who shall violate now one of these small commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called lacking in the kingdom of heaven: every one that shall do and teach shall be called great in the kingdom [49] of heaven. I say unto you now, unless your righteousness abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. [50] Ye have heard that it was said to the ancients, Do not kill; and every one that [51] killeth is worthy of the judgement. But I say unto you that every one who is angry with his brother without a cause is worthy of the judgement; and every one that saith to his brother, Thou foul one, is condemned by the synagogue; and whosoever [52] saith to him, Thou fool, is worthy of the fire of Gehenna. If thou art now offering thy gift at the altar, and rememberest there that thy brother hath conceived [53] against thee any grudge, leave thy gift at the altar, and go first and satisfy thy [54] brother, and then return and offer thy gift. Join thine adversary quickly, and while thou art still with him in the way, give a ransom and free thyself from him; [55] lest thine adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the tax-collector, [56] and thou fall into prison. And verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt not go out thence until thou payest the last farthing. [57, 58] Ye have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery: but I now say unto you, that every one that looketh at a woman lusting after her hath forthwith already [59] committed adultery with her in his heart. If thy right eye injure thee, put it out and cast it from thee; for it is preferable for thee that one of thy [60] members should perish, and not thy whole body go into the fire of hell. And if thy right hand injure thee, cut it off and cast it from thee; and it is better for thee that [61] one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body fall into Gehenna. It was said that he that putteth away his wife should give her a writing of divorcement: [62] but I say unto you, that every one that putteth away his wife, except for the cause of adultery, hath made it lawful for her to commit adultery: and whosoever taketh one that is put away committeth adultery.

English translation by Hope W. Hogg (1896); the original is not shown

[1] Ye have heard also that it was said unto the ancients, Lie not, but perform unto [2] God in thy oaths: but I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven, for it [3] is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is a footstool under his feet; nor yet by [4] Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy [5] head, for thou canst not make in it one lock of hair black or white. But your word shall be either Yea or Nay, and what is in excess of this is of the evil one. [6, 7] Ye have heard that it was said, Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth: but I say unto you, Stand not in opposition to the evil; but whosoever smiteth thee on thy right [8] cheek, turn to him also the other. And he that would sue thee, and take thy tunic, [9] leave to him also thy wrapper. And whosoever compelleth thee one mile, go with [10] him twain. And he that asketh thee, give unto him: and he that would borrow of thee, prevent him not. And prosecute not him that taketh thy [11] substance. And as ye desire that men should do to you, so do ye also to them. [12, 13] Ye have heard that it was said, Love thy neighbour and hate thine enemy: but I say unto you, Love your enemies, and pray for those that curse you, and deal well with those that hate you, and pray for those who take you with violence and persecute you; [14] that ye may be sons of your heavenly Father, who maketh his sun to rise on the good and the evil, and sendeth down his rain on the righteous and the [15] unrighteous. If ye love them that love you, what reward shall ye have? for the publicans [16] and sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do a kindness to those [17] who treat you well, where is your superiority? for sinners also do likewise. And if ye lend to him of whom ye hope for a reward, where is your superiority? for the [18] sinners also lend to sinners, seeking recompense from them. But love your enemies, and do good to them, and lend, and cut not off the hope of any man; that your reward may be great, and ye may be the children of the Highest: for he is lenient [19] towards the wicked and the ungrateful. Be ye merciful, even as your Father also is [20] merciful. And if ye inquire for the good of your brethren only, what more have [21] ye done than others? is not this the conduct of the publicans also? Be ye now perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. [22] Consider your alms; do them not before men to let them see you: and if it be not [23] so, ye have no reward before your Father which is in the heavens. When then thou givest an alms now, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as do the people of hypocrisy, in the synagogues and the marketplaces, that men may praise them. And [24] verily say I unto you, They have received their reward. But thou, when [25] thou doest alms, let thy left hand not know what thy right hand doeth; that thine alms may be concealed: and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. [26] And whenever thou prayest, be not as the hypocrites, who love to stand in the synagogues and in the corners of the marketplaces for prayers, that men may behold [27] them. And verily say I unto you, They have received their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and fasten thy door, and pray to thy Father in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. [28] And whenever ye pray, be not babblers, as the heathen; for they think that by the [29] abundance of their words they shall be heard. Then be not ye now like unto them: [30] for your Father knoweth your request before ye ask him. One of his disciples said [31] unto him, Our Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples. Jesus said unto [32] them, Thus now pray ye now: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy [33, 34] name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. Give us the [35] food of to-day. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgave those that trespassed [36] against us. And bring us not into temptations, but deliver us from the evil one. For [37] thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. If ye forgive men their wrong-doing, your Father which is in heaven will forgive you. [38] But if ye forgive not men, neither will your Father pardon your wrong-doing. [39] When ye fast, do not frown, as the hypocrites; for they make their faces austere, that they may be seen of men that they are fasting. Verily I say unto you, They [40] have received their reward. But when thou fastest, wash thy face and anoint thy [41] head; that thou make not an appearance to men of fasting, but to thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee. [42] Be not agitated, little flock; for your Father hath delighted to give you the kingdom. [43] Sell your possessions, and give in alms; take to yourselves purses that wax [44] not old. Lay not up treasure on earth, where moth and worm corrupt, and where [45] thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where [46] moth and worm do not corrupt, nor thieves break through nor steal: for where your [47] treasure is, there also will your heart be. The lamp of the body is the eye: if then [48] thine eye now be sound, thy whole body also shall be light. But if thine eye be evil, all thy body shall be dark. And if the light which is in thee is darkness, how [49] great is thy darkness! Be watchful that the light which is in thee be not darkness. [50] Because that, if thy whole body is light, and have no part dark, it shall all be light, as the lamp giveth light to thee with its flame.