5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias. He was from the division of Abijah and his wife came from the daughters of Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth. 6 Both of them were righteous in God's eyes, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and the LORD's requirements. 7 They had no children because Elizabeth was barren and they were both of advanced age. 8 Now it happened that while Zacharius was performing his priestly duties before God, according to the appointed order of his division, 9 as he performed the duties assigned to him, as had been assigned by lot, he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense, 10 while the multitude were outside in prayer. 11 An angel of the LORD appeared to him, standing on the right side of the alter of incense. 12 Seeing the angel, Zacharius was gripped with fear. 13 The angel spoke to him, saying, "Do not be afraid, Zacharius. Your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will have a son. You will name him John." 14 "You will have joy and happiness at his birth, and many will rejoice with you." 15 "He will be great in the sight of the LORD. He will drink no wine or liquor. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born." 16 "And he will turn many of the children of Israel back to the LORD their God." 17 "And he shall go before Him (the Messiah) in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the Fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to attitudes of righteousness, in order to make ready a people prepared for the LORD." 18 Zacharius asked the angel, "How shall I know this for certain? I am old and so is my wife." 19 The angel answered him, saying, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to bring you this good news." 20 "Because you did not believe my words, you will be unable to speak until my words have been fulfilled." 21 The people the outside the temple had begun to wonder why Zacharius had remained so long inside. 22 But when he came out he was unable to tell them what had happened. They understood that he had seen a vision inside the temple. He made signs to them but he could not speak.

23 When the days of his priestly service were over he went home. 24 After that his wife Elizabeth became pregnant, and did not go out for five months, saying, 25 "This is how the LORD has dealt with me, looking with favor upon me, and taking away my disgrace in the community."

26 In Elizabeth's sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to Nazareth which is in Galilee. 27 He came to a virgin named Mary, who was engaged to Joseph, a descendant of David. 28 The angel said to her, "Greetings, O favored one. The LORD is with you." 29 His words troubled her and she did not know what to make of them. 30 Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God." 31 "Behold, you will conceive and bear a son. You will name Him Jesus." 32 "He will be great and be called the Son of the Most High. The LORD God will give Him the throne of His father David." 33 "He will reign over the house of Jacob forever and His kingdom will be without end." 34 Mary said to the angel, "How can this be? I am not married." 35 The angel answered her, saying, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. For this reason the Holy Child shall be called the Son of God." 36 "And behold, your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age. She who was called barren is now in her sixth month." 37 "With God nothing is impossible." 38 Then Mary said, "Behold, I am the LORD's handmaid. Let it be done according to your word." And the angel departed.

39 Mary hurried to the hill country to a city of Judah, 40 where she entered the house of Zacharius and greeted Elizabeth. 41 Just as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped inside of her, and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 With a loud voice she cried out, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!" 43 "How has it happened that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" 44 "For behold, when I heard your greeting, the baby leaped within my womb." 45 "Blessed is she who believed that the word spoken to her by the LORD would be fulfilled." 46 And Mary replied, "My soul exalts the LORD." 47 "And My Spirit rejoices in God my Savior." 48 "For He has had regard for my humble state as His handmaiden. From this time on all generations shall call me blessed." 49 "For the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is His name." 50 "His mercy is on those who fear Him in every generation." 51 "He has shown strength in His mighty arm, scattering the proud while they imagined their greatness." 52 "He has brought down rulers from their thrones and exalted the humble." 53 "He has filled the hungry with good things while sending the rich away empty." 54 "He has helped His servant Israel, because of His mercy," 55 "just as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever."

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months, and then returned to her home. 57 When the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, she had a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard of the great mercy displayed by God to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 On the eighth day after the birth it was time to circumcise the child. They were planning to call him Zacharius after his father. 60 But his mother said, "No indeed. He shall be called John." 61 They said to her, "But no one is called by that name among all your relatives." 62 They asked Zacharius what his name should be? 63 He asked for a tablet and wrote on it, "His name is John." Everyone was surprised. 64 At that moment Zacharius' mouth was opened and he could speak. And he began to praise God.

65 As these things were talked about in the hill country of Judea, fear came on everyone who heard of it. 66 Everyone wondered what this child would turn out to be. The LORD was certainly involved in his birth. 67 His father, Zacharius, was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, 68 "Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, for He has visited us and redeemed His people." 69 "He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David His servant." 70 "Just as He spoke through one of His holy prophets of old," 71 "that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us," 72 "to show mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant," 73 "the oath which He swore to our father, Abraham," 74 "to grant that we be rescued from the hand of our enemies so that we might serve Him without fear," 75 "in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days." 76 "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the LORD to prepare His ways," 77 "to give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins," 78 "because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high will visit us," 79 "to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."

80 And the child grew and became strong in the spirit. He lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.

Luke 2 - RWB Paraphrase (52 V)
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1 In those days Caesar Augustus decreed that a census be taken of all the inhabited lands. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 Everyone had to register for the census in his own city. 4 So Joseph went from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David. 5 He took Mary with him to register there. She was engaged to him and her pregnancy was far along.

6 While they were in Bethlehem the time came for the baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapping him in cloths. She used a manger for His bed because they were in a stable since there was no room in the inn.

8 In that region there were shepherds in the fields watching their sheep through the night. 9 An angel suddenly appeared before them, and the glory of the LORD shone all around. And this frightened them. 10 The angel said, "Do not be afraid. I am bringing good news for people everywhere." 11 "Today the Savior, who is Christ the LORD, has been born in Bethlehem, the city of David." 12 "You can recognize Him when you see him wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

13 Suddenly there was a multitude of heavenly angels praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace and good will toward men." 15 When the angels had left, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem to see what the LORD has made known to us." 16 They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and saw the Babe lying in a manger.

17 After seeing this they told others what they had been shown concerning the Child. 18 Everyone who heard their account wondered at it. 19 But Mary treasured in her heart everything that had happened. 20 And the shepherds returned to their sheep, glorifying God because of everything they had been shown.

21 Eight days later at the time of His circumcision He was named Jesus, just as the angel had spoken of His name before He was conceived. 22 When the days of their purification had been completed according to the law, they brought Jesus up to Jerusalem and presented Him to the LORD. 23 As it is written in the law of the LORD, every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD. 24 They offered a sacrifice just as the law of the LORD specified, a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons.

25 There was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout, and looking for the consolation of Israel. He was filled with the Holy Spirit. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would see the LORD's Christ before he died. 27 He was in the Spirit as he entered the temple. When Jesus' parents brought Him into the temple to fulfill the requirements of the law, 28 Simeon took Him in his arms and blessed God, saying, 29 "Now Lord, I can depart in peace, according to Your word," 30 "for my eyes have seen your salvation," 31 "which You have prepared for all people," 32 "a light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel." 33 Jesus' father and mother were amazed at the things Simeon said. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, "Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and raising up of many in Israel. He shall be a sign which is spoken against." 35 "A sword shall pierce your own soul. And in the end, the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed."

36 There was prophetess by the name of Anna, the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, having lived with her husband seven years after marrying him, 37 and then having remained a widow to the age of about eighty. She served God with fasting and prayer night and day in the temple. 38 When Simeon had finished praising God, Anna came up and began to give thanks to the LORD, speaking to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

39 When everything had been done according to the law of the LORD, Joseph and Mary went to Nazareth, their own city in Galilee. 40 And the Child grew strong in body and spirit and increased in wisdom. The grace of God was upon Him.

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year for the feast of Passover. 42 When Jesus was twelve, He went with them. 43 Having been there the full number of days, they started for home while Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents were not aware of this. 44 They supposed that He was with others in the caravan. At the end of the first day's journey they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 When they could not find Him they returned to Jerusalem to look for Him. 46 After three days they found Him sitting in the temple with the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. 47 All who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. 48 His parents were amazed to see Him there. His mother said to Him, "Son, why have you treated us this way? Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You." 49 And He replied, "Why was it that you searched anywhere else? Didn't you know that I must be about My Father's business?" 50 They did not understand what He meant by this statement. 51 Jesus went back to Nazareth with them and remained subjected to them. His mother treasured in her heart everything that happen. 52 And He kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Luke 3 - RWB Paraphrase (38 V)
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1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee. His brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene. 2 Annas and Caiaphas were sharing the office of high priest. The word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness. 3 He began to preach in the district around the Jordan. He preached a message of baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins. 4 The prophet Isaiah had said, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make ready the way of the LORD. Make His paths straight." 5 "Every ravine will be filled in and every mountain and hill will be brought low. The crooked place will be straightened and the rough roads smoothed out." 6 "All flesh will see the salvation of the LORD."

7 John said to the crowds who came to be baptized by him, "You are a brood of vipers. Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?" 8 "You must bear fruit in keeping with repentance. You cannot rely on having Abraham for your father. God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones." 9 "In fact, the axe is already laid at the root of every tree that does not bear good fruit. Such will be cut down and burned in the fire."

10 The crowds wanted to know what they should do. 11 John would answer this way."The man who has two tunics should share with the man who has none. He who has food should do the same." 12 Some tax collectors also came to be baptized and asked what they should do. 13 He said to them, "Collect only what has been prescribed." 14 Some soldiers also asked what they should do. He said, "Do not take money by force. Do not make false accusations. Be content with your wages." 15 The people were in a state of expectation and wondered if John was the Christ. 16 John answered, "I baptized with water but One mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to untie His shoes. He will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire." 17 "With His winnowing fork He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor. The wheat He will put in His barn but the chaff will be burned with unquenchable fire."

18 With many other exhortations he preached the good news to the people. 19 When John reprimanded Herod the tetrarch for marrying his brother's wife, Herod added to all the wicked things he had done, 20 by locking John up in prison.

21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was also baptized. While He was praying, heaven opened. 22 The Holy Spirit descended upon Him in the form of a dove, and a voice from heaven said, "You are My beloved Son. I am well pleased with You." 23 Jesus began His ministry at about the age of thirty years. Everyone thought of Him as Joseph's son, who was Eli's son. 24 And he was the son of Mattat who was the son of Levi who was the son of Jannai who was the son of Joseph. 25 He was the son of Mattathias who was the son of Amos, who was the son of Nahum who was the son of Naggai. 26 He was the son of Maath who was the son of Mattathias who was the son of Semein who was the son of Josech who was the son of Joda. 27 He was the son of Joanan who was the son of Rhesa who was the son of Zerubbabel who was the son of Shealtiel who was the son of Neri. 28 He was the son of Melchi who was the son of Addi who was the son of Cosam who was the son of Elmadam who was the son of Er. 29 He was the son of Joshua who was the son of Eliezer who was the son of Jorim who was the son of Matthat who was the son of Levi. 30 He was the son of Simeon who was the son of Judah who was the son of Joseph who was the son of Jonam who was the son of Eliakim. 31 He was the son of Melea who was the son of Menna who was the son of Mattatha who was the son of Nathan the Son of David. 32 He was the son of Jesse who was the son of Obed who was the son of Boaz who was the son of Salmon who was the son of Nahshon. 33 He was the son of Amminadab who was the son of Admin who was the son of Ram who was the son of Hezron who was the son of Perez who was the son of Judah. 34 He was the son of Jacob who was the son Isaac who was the son of Abraham who was the son of Terah who was the son of Nahor. 35 He was the son of Serug who was the son of Reu who was the son of Peleg who was the son of Heber who was the son of Shelah. 36 He was the son of Cainan who was the son of Arphaxad who was the son of Shem who was the son of Noah who was the son of Lamech. 37 He was the son of Methuselah who was the son of Enoch who was the son of Jared who was the son of Mahalaleel who was the son of Cainan. 38 He was the son of Enosh who was the son of Seth who was the son of Adam who was the Son of God.

Luke 4 - RWB Paraphrase (44 V)
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1 Being full of the Holy Spirit, Jesus left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. 2 He was tempted for forty days by the devil. During this time He had nothing to eat and afterwards He was hungry. 3 Then the devil suggested to Him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." 4 Jesus answered, "It is written, man shall not live on bread alone, but by every word of God."

5 Then the devil took Him up on a high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said, "I will give You all these and their glory, for they are mine and I can give them to whomever I wish." 7 "All You need to do is worship me and they will be Yours." 8 Jesus answered, "It is written, you shall worship the LORD your God and serve Him only."

9 He then took Jesus to Jerusalem and stood Him on the pinnacle of the temple. He said to Him, "If you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here." 10 "For scripture says, 'He will command His angels to keep You,'" 11 "And on their hands they will bear You up so that You do not dash Your foot against a stone." 12 Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, 'You shall not put the LORD your God to the test.'." 13 When the devil had finished with all of his temptations, he left Jesus to wait for a more opportune time.

14 Jesus returned to Galilee filled with the Spirit. News about Him spread everywhere in the district. 15 He began teaching in their synagogues and everyone praised Him. 16 He came to Nazareth where He had grown up. As His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath. And He stood up to read. 17 He was handed the book of Isaiah and when He opened the book He found the place where it is written, 18 "the Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, and to set free those who are oppressed," 19 "and to proclaim the favorable year of the LORD." 20 Closing the book, He gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 He said, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." 22 "Everyone spoke well of Him, and wondered at His well spoken words. They said, "Isn't this Joseph's son? 23 Jesus said, "No doubt you will quote the proverb to Me that says, 'Physician, heal yourself! Do in Your hometown the things we heard that you have done in Capernaum.'." 24 Then He added, "The truth is, no prophet is welcome in his own community." 25 "But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when it did not rain for three and a half years and caused a great famine in the land." 26 "Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. Instead he was sent to a widow in Zarephath of Sidon." 27 "And there were many lepers in Israel in the days of Elisha the prophet. Yet none of them were cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian." 28 These words caused all the people in the synagogue to be filled with rage. 29 They rose up and took Him out of the city to the brow of the hill the city was built on. They intended to throw Him over the cliff. 30 But He passed through their midst and went on His way.

31 He next went down to Capernaum on the coast of Galilee. He was teaching them on the Sabbath. 32 They were amazed at His teaching because He taught with such authority. 33 A man with an unclean spirit was in the synagogue and he cried out with a loud voice, saying, 34 "Let us alone, Jesus of Nazareth. Have You come to destroy us? I know that You are the Holy One of God." 35 Jesus told him to be quiet. When the demon had thrown the man to the ground in the midst of the people, he came out of the man without harming him. 36 The crowd was amazed. They said to one another, "Where does He get His power and authority to command the unclean spirits to come out?" 37 News of what He had done spread throughout the surrounding district.

38 Leaving the synagogue, Jesus went to Simon's home. His mother-in-law had a high fever and they asked Jesus to help her. 39 Standing over her, He rebuked the fever and it was gone. She immediately got up and waited on them.

40 As the sun was setting people brought their sick with various diseases to Him. Laying His hands on each one, He made them well. 41 Demons came out of many, saying, "You are the Son of God!" Jesus rebuked them, and prevented them from saying more, for they knew Him to be the Christ.

42 The next day Jesus went away to a secluded place. The crowds searched for Him and when they found Him they tried to keep Him from leaving. 43 But He said, "I have been sent to preach about God's kingdom in other cities as well." 44 And He continued to preach in the synagogues of Judea.

Luke 5 - RWB Paraphrase (39 V)
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1 On one occasion Jesus was preaching by the lake of Gennesaret. The people pressed around Him as they listened to the word of God. 2 There were two boats close by and the fishermen were washing their nets. 3 Jesus got into one of the boats which belonged to Simon and asked him to move the boat a little way from the land. As He sat in the boat He taught the people.

4 After He had finished speaking, He asked Simon to go out where it was deep and let down his nets to catch some fish. 5 Simon said, "Master, we fished all night without success. But because You have said it, I will let the nets down." 6 When they had done this they discovered they had so many fish their nets were beginning to break. 7 Calling their partners in the other boat, they filled both boats until they both almost sank. 8 Seeing this miracle, Simon Peter fell down at Jesus feet and said, "I am a sinful man. I am not worthy to be in Your presence." 9 He and his companions were seized with amazement because of the abundant catch of fish, 10 as were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were Simon's partners. Jesus said to Simon, fear not. From now on you will catch men. 11 After they brought their boats to land they left everything and followed Jesus.

12 In one of the cities Jesus visited, there was a man covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus he fell on his face, saying, "Lord if You are willing, You can make me clean." 13 Jesus said, "I am willing, " and stretched out His hand touched him. Immediately his leprosy was gone. 14 Jesus said, "Tell no one, but go show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing, just as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." 15 News of the healing went far and wide so that large crowds gathered to hear Him and be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus would often slipped away to the wilderness to pray.

17 One day as Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers of the law sat and listened. They had come from all over Galilee and Judea. They observed the power of the LORD present in Him as He healed people. 18 Some men came to Jesus carrying a paralyzed man on a bed, but they could not get close to Him. 19 Finding no other way to get to Jesus, they went up on the roof and removed the tiles, and let the man down to Jesus. 20 Seeing their faith, Jesus said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven." 21 The scribes and Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this man to forgive sins? This is blasphemy. Only God can forgives sin." 22 Aware of their reasoning, Jesus said to them, "Why do you reason thus?" 23 "Is it easier to say your sins have been forgiven, or to say, get up and walk?" 24 "So that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins," He then said to the paralytic, "I say to you, get up. Pick up your bed and walk home." 25 Immediately, the man got up, picked up what he had been laying on, and went home glorifying God. 26 The people were astonished and glorified God. And they were filled with fear, saying, "We have seen remarkable things today."

27 After this Jesus went out and noticing a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax booth, said to him, "Follow Me." 28 And Levi left everything and followed Him.

29 Levi gave a big feast in his house for Jesus. There were many tax collectors present along with other people reclining at his table. 30 The Pharisees and their scribes grumbled to His disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" 31 Jesus answered them, saying, "The physician cares for those who need him and not for those who are well." 32 "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

33 They said to Him, "John's disciples often fast and pray. It is the same with the Pharisee's disciples. But Your disciples eat and drink." 34 Jesus replied, "You do not expect the attendants of the bridegroom to fast while the bridegroom is with them, do you?" 35 "The days will come when the bridegroom has been taken from them. Then they will fast."

36 Then He told a parable to fit the occasion. He said, "No one sews new cloth on an old garment. This would result in the new cloth tearing away from the old cloth." 37 "And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. New wine will burst old wineskins, spilling the wine and ruining the wineskins." 38 "New wine requires new wineskins." 39 "And those who have drunk old wine do not wish for the new. They are satisfied with the old."

Luke 6 - RWB Paraphrase (49 V)
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1 One day Jesus, as was passing by some fields of grain on the Sabbath. His disciples were picking heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands and eating them. 2 Some Pharisees noticed this and said, "What they are doing is not lawful on the Sabbath." 3 Jesus answered, saying, "Haven't you read what David and those with him did when they were hungry?" 4 "Remember how he entered God's house and took and ate the consecrated bread that was just for the priests?" 5 "You should understand that the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."

6 On another Sabbath He entered a synagogue to teach. A man was there whose right hand was withered. 7 The scribes and Pharisees watched to see if He would heal on the Sabbath. They were always looking for a reason to accuse Him. 8 He knew what they were thinking as He invited the man to the front. 9 Jesus said to the Pharisees, "Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath? To save life or to destroy it?" 10 After looking around at everyone, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand. As the man stretched out his hand, it was restored." 11 This filled the leaders with rage and they discussed with one another what could be done about Jesus.

12 After this Jesus went to the mountain and spent the whole night in prayer to His Father. 13 The next day He called His disciples together and chose twelve of them, whom He named apostles. 14 There was Simon whom He also called Peter, and Andrew his bother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, 15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who would become the traitor.

17 Jesus came down with them to a level place. There was a large crowd of His disciples as well as many people from all over Judea and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon. 18 They had come to hear Him, to be healed of their diseases and to be freed from unclean spirits. 19 Everyone was trying to touch Him because power was coming out of Him and healing them.

20 Turning to His disciples, He said, "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of heaven."
21 "Blessed are you who hunger, for you shall be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep, for you shall laugh."
22 "Blessed are you when men hate you and cast you out and reproach you, for the Son of Man's sake." 23 "Be glad when that happens, for your reward is great in heaven. Remember that the fathers treated the prophets the way you are being treated."

24 "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received all the comfort you can ever expect." 25 "Woe to those who are well fed, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh for you shall weep and mourn." 26 "Woe to you when men speak well of you, for the fathers treated the false prophets in the same way." 27 "But I say to all who can hear, 'Love your enemies and do good to those who hate you.'" 28 "Bless those who curse you and pray for those who mistreat you." 29 "If someone hits you on the cheek, offer the other as well. If someone takes your coat, offer him your shirt, too." 30 "Give to everyone who asks of you and when something is stolen do not ask for it back." 31 "Treat others just as you want to be treated." 32 "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them." 33 "If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Sinners do the same." 34 "If you lend to those from whom you can expect a return, what credit is that to you? Sinners do this, too." 35 "You should love your enemies and do good. Lend expecting nothing in return. This will make your reward great, and you will be sons of the Most High. He Himself is kind to the ungrateful and evil men." 36 "Be merciful just as your Father in heaven is merciful." 37 "Do not judge and you will not be judged. Do not condemn and you will not be condemned. Pardon and you will be pardoned." 38 "Give and it will be given to you. You will have more than you need. By the standard you measure to others it will be measured to you."

39 Then He spoke these parables to them: "A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Won't both of them fall into a pit?" 40 "And a pupil is not above his teacher. But once he is fully trained he will be like his teacher." 41 "Why look at the speck in your brother's eye without noticing the large obstruction in your own eye?" 42 "How can you expect to help your brother with the speck in his eye while the large obstruction remains in your eye? First remove the large obstruction in your eye and then offer to help your brother with the speck in his eye." 43 "Good trees do not produce bad fruit. Neither do bad trees produce good fruit." 44 "Every tree is known by its fruit. No one gathers figs from thorns or grapes from briars." 45 "The good man out of the goodness of his heart brings forth what is good. And the evil man does evil, speaking of that which fills his heart."

46 "Why do you call Me Lord, but do not do as I say?" 47 "I will compare the one who hears My words and does them to the following:" 48 "he is like a man building a house. He digs deep and lays a foundation on the rock. When a flood comes and bursts against that house it will remain standing because its foundation is on the rock." 49 "The one who does not listen to Me and follow My words is like the man who builds his house without any foundation. A storm will cause his house to fall down in ruin."

Luke 7 - RWB Paraphrase (50 V)
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1 When Jesus had finished saying everything He wanted to say to the people, He left for Capernaum. 2 A centurion's slave who was highly valued, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion had heard about Jesus and asked some Jewish elders to ask Jesus to save the life of his slave. 4 Those Jews came to Jesus begging Him to help, for, they said, "He is worthy." 5 "He loves our nation and has built our synagogue." 6 So Jesus started to the man's house. When He was not far from the place, the centurion sent word, saying, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself further, for I am not worthy for You to come under my roof." 7 "Just say the word, and my servant will be healed." 8 "I am used to being under the authority of my superiors and also exercising authority over those under me." 9 When Jesus heard this He marveled and said to the crowd, "I have not found faith like this in all of Israel." 10 So those who had been sent to Him return to the centurion's house and found the slave was in good health.

11 After this Jesus went to a city called Nain. His disciples went with Him, accompanied by a large crowd. 12 As He was approaching the city gate, a dead man was being carried out. He had been the only son of his widowed mother. A sizeable crowd was with her. 13 When the LORD saw her He felt compassion for her and said to her, "Do not weep." 14 As He came to the coffin, the procession halted and Jesus then said, "Young man, I say to you, 'Arise!'" 15 The dead man sat up and began to speak. And Jesus presented him to his mother. 16 Fear gripped everyone as they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet is among us! God has visited His people." 17 The account of this miracle went everywhere in Judea and the surrounding district.

18 John's disciples told John everything that was happening. 19 He then sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus, "Are You the expected One, or should we look for another?" 20 So they brought John's question to Jesus. 21 At that time He was curing many people of their diseases and casting out evil spirits. And He was giving sight to the blind. 22 Jesus gave this answer to John's disciples."tell John that you have seen the blind receive their sight, the lepers cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead raised and the poor hearing the gospel preached to them." 23 "Blessed is he who does not take offense at what I am doing." 24 When John's men had left, Jesus spoke to the crowds about John. He asked them, "What were you looking for when you went out to hear John? Did he appear to be a weak man with a powerless message?" 25 "Did he dress in soft clothing like those who live in palaces?" 26 "Were you hoping to see a prophet? I say to you, he was more than a prophet." 27 "John is the one of whom it is written, 'Behold I send My messenger to prepare the way before You.'" 28 "I say to you, of those born of women there is none greater than John. Even so, he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than him." 29 This caused all the people, even the tax collectors, to acknowledge God's justice, especially those baptized by John. 30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected this saying because they had not been baptized by John.

31 Jesus continued, saying, "To what shall I compare the men of this generation?" 32 "They are like children sitting in the market place and calling to each other, 'We played the flute for you and you did not dance. We sang a dirge and you did not weep.'" 33 "For John the Baptist came neither eating bread or drinking wine and you said he had a demon!" 34 "The Son of Man has come eating and drinking and you say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard. And besides this, He is a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'" 35 "But wisdom is vindicated by her children."

36 One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to his house to eat. 37 There was a certain woman in the city who was a sinner. She learned that Jesus was eating at this Pharisee's house and she brought an alabaster container of perfume. 38 She stood at His feet, weeping as she began to pour the perfume on His feet. Her tears mixed with the perfume. As she anointed His feet, she kissed them and wiped them with her hair. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he thought to himself, if this man was a prophet, He would know that this woman touching Him is a sinner. 40 So Jesus said, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And Simon replied, "Say it Teacher." 41 "A money lender had two debtors. One owed him $10,000, and the second owed him $1,000." 42 "When they were unable to pay, he graciously forgave both of them. Which one will love him more?" 43 Simon answered, "I suppose the one who was forgiven the most." Jesus said, "You have judged correctly." 44 Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house but you gave Me no water for My feet. She, however, has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair." 45 "You gave Me no kiss but she has been kissing My feet since I arrived." 46 "You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume." 47 "She loves much because her sins are many and have been forgiven. He who is forgiven little loves little." 48 Turning to her, He said, "Your sins are forgiven." 49 Those reclining at the table with Him questioned in their hearts, "Who is this man who even forgives sins?" 50 And Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."

Luke 8 - RWB Paraphrase (56 V)
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1 After this Jesus began going to various cities and villages proclaiming the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him. 2 Some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sickness followed, as well. Among them was Mary Magdalene from whom seven demons had gone out. 3 There was also Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna besides many others who contributed to Jesus from their private means.

4 A large crowd came together from the various cities and Jesus spoke in parables, saying, 5 "The sower went out to plant. As he planted, some of the seed fell next to the road and was walked on or eaten by the birds." 6 "Other seed fell on rocky soil. It sprouted but soon withered for lack of moisture." 7 "Still other seed fell among thorns which choked it out." 8 "Other seed fell on good soil. It grew and produced a hundred fold." Then he said, "He who has ears, let him hear."

9 His disciples began to question Him as to the meaning of this parable. 10 Jesus said, "It has been granted to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God. But the people in general see and hear without understanding." 11 "This is what the parable means. The seed is the word of God." 12 "Those beside the road are those who hear but the devil quickly comes and takes the word from their hearts and they will not believe and be saved." 13 "Those on the rocky soil hear the word with joy but have no firm root and believe for only a short time. When temptation comes they fall away." 14 "The seed that falls among the thorns are those who hear, but life's worries and pleasures keep them from bearing fruit." 15 "But the seed that falls on good soil are those who hear the word with an honest heart and hold it fast and with perseverance, bearing much fruit."

16 "No one lights a lamp to then find some way to keep its light from shining. No! He places it on a lampstand so everyone may see." 17 "Nothing is hidden that will not be made plain. Those things now secret will eventually come to light." 18 "Pay attention to what you are hearing, for those with understanding will be given even more. And those who do not understand, will come to understand less and less."

19 Jesus mother and brothers came to see Him but were unable to get to Him because of the crowd. 20 When He heard that His mother and brothers were outside wishing to see Him, 21 he said, "My mother and My brothers are those who hear the word of God and do what it says."

22 One day Jesus and His disciples got into a boat. Jesus said, "Let us go over to the other side of the lake." 23 As they were sailing along, Jesus fell asleep. A fierce storm hit the lake and before too long they were in danger of being swamped by the waves. 24 They woke Jesus, saying, "Master, we are about to perish in this storm." And He got up and rebuked the wind and the waves and the sea became calm. 25 He said to them, "Where is your faith?" They were amazed and afraid. They said to each other, "Who is this that commands even the wind and the water to obey Him?"

26 They sailed on to Gerasenes on the opposite shore of Galilee. 27 When they arrived Jesus got out of the boat, and was met by a man possessed of demons. He lived in the tombs and did not wear clothes. 28 Seeing Jesus, he fell down before Him and loudly asked, "Why are you here, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please do not torment me!" 29 Jesus was commanding the unclean spirit to come out of the man. It had seized him many time and though he had been bound in chains and kept under guard, he had always broken his bonds and then been driven by a demon into the wilderness. 30 Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" He answered, "I am Legion, " for many demons were in him. 31 Now they were imploring Him not to send them into the abyss. 32 There was a herd of pigs feeding on the mountain and the demons begged Him to let them enter the pigs. And He gave them permission. 33 So the demons came out of the man and went into the pigs, causing them to rush down the steep bank and drown in the lake. 34 When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they ran to the city and the surrounding country to report what had happened to the pigs. 35 The people came out to see for themselves. They found Jesus with the man who had been possessed by demons. He was sitting at Jesus' feet, clothed and in his right mind. This frightened them. 36 Those who had witnessed the transformation told of everything that had happened. 37 All the people of the country of Gadarenes asked Jesus to leave, for they were gripped with fear. So Jesus got into the boat to leave. 38 The man who was free from the demons begged to be allowed to go with Him. But Jesus said, "No." 39 "Return to your house and tell what great things God has done for you. So the man went away, and proclaimed throughout the city what Jesus had done for him."

40 When Jesus returned to the other side of the lake He was welcomed by the people who had been waiting for Him. 41 A man named Jairus, an official of the synagogue, fell at his feet and implored Him to come to his house. 42 He had an only daughter who was at the point of death. As Jesus followed him, the crowds pressed in around Him. 43 A woman with an issue of blood had suffered with no relief for the past twelve years. 44 She came up behind Him and touch the fringe of His cloak. Immediately her bleeding stopped. 45 Jesus said to those around Him, "Who touched Me?" No one answered. Peter said, "Master, the people have been pressing in around You for some time." 46 But Jesus said, "Someone did touch Me for I felt power go out from Me." 47 As she realized that she had not escaped notice, she came forward trembling, and admitted that she had touched Him and had immediately been healed. 48 Jesus said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace."

49 While He was speaking with the woman, someone came from the house of the synagogue official and said that his daughter had died. There was no need to further trouble the Teacher. 50 Jesus heard their words, and said to Jairus, "Do not be afraid. Only believe and your daughter will be made well." 51 Arriving at the house Jesus would not allow anyone to enter with Him except Peter, John and James, and the girl's father and mother. 52 In the room where the girl lay there was much weeping. Jesus said, "Stop your weeping. She has not died, but is asleep." 53 They began to laugh at Him, for they knew she had died. 54 Taking the girl's hand, Jesus said, "Child, get up!" 55 Her spirit returned to her and she got up immediately. Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were amazed. But Jesus told them to not tell anyone what had happened.

Luke 9 - RWB Paraphrase (62 V)
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1 Calling the twelve together, Jesus gave them authority over all demons and power to cure diseases. 2 He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing. 3 He said, "Take nothing for the journey, not even a staff, nor bag, bread, money or an extra coat." 4 "Stay at whatever house you enter until you leave that city." 5 "If some do not receive you, shake the dust from your feet as a witness against them as you leave that city." 6 They departed and preached the gospel and healed everywhere.

7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was happening and was perplexed by it. He wondered if John the Baptist had risen from the dead. 8 Some were saying that Elijah had risen. Others were saying that one of the prophets of old had risen. 9 Herod said, "I had John beheaded. So who is this man who is doing all these things." He wanted to see Jesus.

10 When the apostles returned to Jesus they recounted all that they had done. He took them with Him to Bethsaida to be alone a while. 11 But the crowds followed Him, so He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God. He also healed those who needed it. 12 As the day was ending the twelve came to Him and suggested that He send the crowd away so they could find food and lodging, for they were in a desolate place. 13 But Jesus said, "You give them something to eat." They said, "All we have are five loaves and two fish. And we could never buy enough for all these people." 14 There were about five thousand men there. Jesus said, "Have them sit down in groups of about fifty." 15 And so they had the people sit down. 16 Taking the five loaves and two fish, Jesus look up to heaven, and blessed food before breaking the bread and fish into pieces which He then gave to the disciples and they gave the food to the people. 17 Everyone ate and was satisfied. When they had had all they wanted, twelve baskets were filled with leftovers.

18 At another time, while Jesus was alone praying, the disciples were with Him. He questioned them, saying, "Who do the people say that I am?" 19 They answered, "John the Baptist. And others say Elijah. Yet others say that You are one of the prophets of old who has risen." 20 Then Jesus said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter said, "You are the Christ of God." 21 Jesus told them not to tell any one. 22 He said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and scribes. He will be killed but on the third day He will be raised." 23 He then said, "Anyone wanting to come after Me must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow Me." 24 "Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it. But whoever loses his life for My sake, will save it." 25 "For what does a man profit if he gains the whole world, and then forfeits eternal life?" 26 "Whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, I, the Son of Man, will be ashamed of him when I come in My glory, the glory of My Father and that of the holy angels." 27 "The truth is, some of you standing here will see the kingdom of God before dying."

28 About eight days later Jesus took Peter, John and James up on the mountain to pray. 29 As He prayed His face became different. And His clothing became extremely white. 30 Two men were talking with Him. They were Moses and Elijah. 31 These two were glorified as they talked with Him about His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep. Now they were fully awake as they witnessed the glory of Jesus and the two standing with Him. 33 As Moses and Elijah were leaving Jesus, Peter spoke up, saying, "Master, it is wonderful to have witnessed this. Shouldn't we make three tabernacles, one for each of you?" He did not realizing what he was saying. 34 Even as Peter spoke, a cloud overshadowed them and they became afraid. 35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, "This is My Son, My Chosen One. Listen to Him!" 36 After the voice had spoken, Jesus was alone. Peter, John and James did not relate to anyone what they had seen.

37 The next day when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met Jesus. 38 A man in the crowd shouted, "Teacher, I beg You to look at my son. He is my only boy." 39 "An evil spirit seizes him and causes him to scream as it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. Then it mauls him as it departs from him." 40 "I begged Your disciples to cast it out, but they could not." 41 Jesus replied, "O unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I put up with you? Bring your son to Me." 42 As the boy was being brought to Him, the demon slammed him to the ground and made him convulse. Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit. After healing the boy He gave him back to his father.

43 Everyone was amazed at God's greatness as they marveled at what Jesus had done. Speaking to His disciples, Jesus said, 44 "Hear now what I say. The Son of Man is going to be turned over to the hands of men." 45 But the disciples did not understand what He was saying and they were afraid to ask Him what He meant.

46 The disciples began to argue about which of them was the greatest. 47 Jesus knew what they had been thinking and taking a child and standing him by His side, 48 he said to them, "Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me. Whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. The one among you who is least among all of you, he is the one who is great."

49 John spoke up saying, "Master we saw someone casting out demons in Your name. We tried to prevent him from doing this, because he does not follow along with us." 50 Jesus replied, "Do not stop him, for he who is not against you is on your side."

51 As the day of His ascension approached, He resolutely headed for Jerusalem. 52 He sent messengers ahead to a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him there. 53 Since He was headed for Jerusalem, they would not receive Him. 54 Seeing their attitude toward Jesus, James and John asked Him, "Do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven to consume them?" 55 But Jesus rebuked them saying, "You do not know what kind of spirit is prompting you to say such a thing." 56 "The Son of Man did not come to destroy men, but to save." So they went to a different village.

57 As they traveled, someone said to Jesus, "I will follow You wherever You go." 58 Jesus replied, "The foxes have holes and the birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head." 59 And to another, he said, "Follow Me." But that one said, "Please let me bury my father first." 60 Jesus said, "Let the dead bury their own dead. As for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God everywhere." 61 Another said, "I will follow You, Lord. But let me first say good bye to those at home." 62 Jesus said, "No one, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

Luke 10 - RWB Paraphrase (42 V)
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1 After this the LORD appointed seventy others and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city He was coming to. 2 He said to them, "A great harvest is ready and the laborers are few in number. Pray the LORD of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." 3 "I am sending you out as lambs among wolves." 4 "Carry no money, bag or shoes. Do not stop to greet anyone." 5 "When you enter a house, say, 'Peace be to this house.'" 6 "If a man of peace lives there, your peace will rest on him." 7 "Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you. The laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not move from house to house." 8 "When you enter a city, if they receive you, eat what is set before you." 9 "Heal those who are sick and tell them the kingdom of God has come near to them." 10 "But if a city does not receive you, do not enter its streets, instead say," 11 "even the dust that clings to our feet we wipe off in protest against you. Know this, the kingdom of God has come near to you." 12 "I say to you, it will be better for Sodom than for that city." 13 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the same miracles had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented sitting in sackcloth and ashes." 14 "In the judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you." 15 "And you, Capernaum, will not be exalt to heaven but instead brought down to hell." 16 "The one who listens to you listens to Me. The one who rejects you rejects Me and therefore he rejects the One who sent Me."

17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." 18 Jesus said to them, "I watched Satan fall from heaven like lightening." 19 "Behold, I have given you authority to walk on serpents and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will injure you." 20 "Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits are subject to you. Rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven."

21 At this time Jesus rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, saying, "I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because it has been pleasing to You to hide these things from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to babes." 22 "All things have been handed over to Me by My Father. Only the Father knows the Son and only the Son knows the Father, and anyone to whom He wishes to reveal Him." 23 Turning to the disciples, He said, "What you have seen is a great blessing." 24 "For many prophets and kings wished to see and hear what you have seen and heard."

25 A lawyer stood up to test Him, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to have eternal life?" 26 Jesus replied, "What do you read in the law?" 27 The man answered, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength and all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." 28 Jesus told him that his answer was correct and he should do this. 29 But the lawyer, wishing to justify his question said, "Who is my neighbor?" 30 Jesus replied by telling a story."a man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. Robbers met him and stripped him of everything he had. They beat him and left him for dead." 31 "It happened that a priest passed by. Seeing the man, he then passed by on the other side of the road." 32 "A Levite followed and when he saw the man, he too passed by on the other side." 33 "But a Samaritan came that way, and seeing the man, felt compassion for him." 34 "He put wine and oil on the man's wounds before bandaging them. Then he placed the man on his donkey and brought him to an inn. There he continued to care for the him." 35 "The next day he gave the inkeeper extra money and said, 'Take care of this man. If it costs more than this, I'll make it right when I return.'" 36 "Which of the three travelers proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among thieves?" 37 The lawyer said, "The one who showed mercy toward him." Then Jesus said, "Go and do the same."

38 As they traveled, Jesus came into a village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. 39 Her sister Mary remained seated at Jesus feet listening to His every word. 40 Martha had so many things to do in preparation for the meal. She came to Jesus and said, "Don't You care that I have so much to do without Mary's help? Tell her to help me." 41 But the LORD answered and said, "Martha, you care about many things." 42 "But in fact, only one thing is necessary, and Mary has chosen it. It shall not be taken from her."

Luke 11 - RWB Paraphrase (54 V)
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1 One time when Jesus had finished praying in a certain place, one of His disciples said, "Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples to pray." 2 So Jesus said to them, "When you pray say, 'Our Father, Who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.'." 3 "Give us our daily bread." 4 "And forgive us our sins as we forgive everyone who sins against us. Lead us away from temptation and deliver us from evil."

5 "Then Jesus said to them, "Suppose one of you goes to a friend at midnight and asks to borrow three loaves of bread? 6 "You explain that a friend came from a journey unexpectedly and you have nothing to feed him." 7 "From inside he says to you, 'Don't bother me now. The door is locked, my family and I are in bed. I cannot help you.'" 8 "Even though he will not get up for you, yet if you are persistent, he will give you as much as you need for your friend." 9 "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you." 10 "For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks, it will be opened." 11 "If one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish, will he give him a snake?" 12 "Or if he asks for an egg, will he give him a scorpion?" 13 "If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him."

14 At another time Jesus was casting out a demon who had made a man mute. When the demon was gone, the man was able to speak. This amazed the crowds. 15 But there were those who said, "He casts out the demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons." 16 Still others wanted Him to give them a sign from heaven. 17 Knowing their thoughts He said, "Any kingdom divided against itself falls and is laid waste." 18 "If Satan works against himself, how can he hope to further his kingdom? You have said that I cast out demons by Beelzebul." 19 "If I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Let them be the judge in this matter."

20 "But if I cast out demons by God's power, then His kingdom has come upon you." 21 "When a strong man guards his house, no one bothers his possessions." 22 "But when someone stronger overpowers him, the stronger one takes what he wants." 23 "He who is not with Me is against Me. And he who does not gather with Me, scatters." 24 "When the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it looks for a place to rest. When it finds none, it tries to return to its former dwelling." 25 "When it comes and finds it swept and in order," 26 "it goes and finds seven other spirits more evil then itself and they come to live there. The last state of the man is worse than the first."

27 While Jesus was speaking, a woman in the crowd said in a loud voice, "Blessed is the woman who bore and nursed You." 28 But Jesus replied, "Blessed are those who hear the word of God and do what He says." 29 As the crowds increased, Jesus said, "This generation is wicked and looks for a sign. But no sign will be given it other than the sign of Jonah." 30 "Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation." 31 "The Queen of the South will rise up in the judgment and condemn the men of this generation, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Behold, Someone greater than Solomon is here." 32 "The men of Nineveh will rise in judgment to condemn this generation, for they repented at Jonah's preaching and Someone greater than Jonah is here." 33 "No one lights a lamp and then puts it in some out of the way place or under a basket. Instead he puts it on a lampstand so that everyone in the room may benefit from the light." 34 "The eye is the lamp of your body. When it is clear your whole body is full of light. A bad eye means your body is full of darkness." 35 "So make sure that the light is in you rather than darkness." 36 "If your body is full of light and has no darkness in it, it will be wholly illumined the way a lamp lights up a room."

37 When He had spoken these things a Pharisee invited Him over for lunch. So Jesus went and reclined at his table. 38 The Pharisee was surprised to see that Jesus did not go through the motions of ceremonially washing His hands before the meal. 39 So the LORD said to him, "You Pharisees clean the outside of the dish and leave the inside full of robbery and wickedness." 40 "You foolish ones. Didn't He who made the outside also make the inside?" 41 "Give what you have from within and all things can be clean for you." 42 "Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithe on mint and rue and every kind of garden herb. Yet you disregard justice and the love of God. These you should have done without neglecting the tithe." 43 "Woe to you Pharisees! You love the chief seats and respectful greetings in the market place and synagogues." 44 "Woe to you! For you are actually like tombs that have been concealed so that people walk over them without realizing it."

45 A lawyer said to Him, "Teacher, You insult us as well." 46 Jesus replied, "Woe to you lawyers! You weigh men down with difficult burdens and do nothing to lighten their load." 47 "Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets and it was your fathers who killed them." 48 "Truly, you bear witness and approve the deeds of your fathers, and you build their tombs." 49 God in His wisdom said, "I will send them prophets and apostles. Some they will persecute and some they will kill." 50 Therefore, the blood of all the prophets shed since the beginning of the world may be charged against this generation. 51 "From the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the house of God. Yes, it shall be charged to this generation." 52 "Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You do not go in and you prevent others from entering."

53 As He left there the scribes and Pharisees became very hostile and questioned Him closely about many things. 54 They were planned to use His answers against Him.

Luke 12 - RWB Paraphrase (59 V)
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1 At this time so many people had gathered to hear Jesus, that they were stepping on each other. He began by teaching His disciples. He said, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy." 2 "There is nothing covered up that will not be brought out in the open." 3 "Whatever is said in the dark will be brought to light so that everyone knows." 4 "But My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill only the body." 5 "Instead, fear the One with authority to kill and cast into hell." 6 "You know that five sparrows are sold for two cents. Yet not one of them is forgotten in God's sight." 7 "He even knows the number of hairs on your head. Have no fear, for you are more valuable than sparrows."

8 "I tell you, whoever confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him before the angels of God." 9 "But the one who denies Me before men shall be denied before the angels of God." 10 "Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man may be forgiven. But blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven."

11 "When you are brought before rulers and authorities in the synagogues, do not worry about what to say to them." 12 "The Holy Spirit will show you what to say when you need to say it."

13 Someone in the crowd said, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me." 14 But Jesus said, "Man, who appointed Me to be your arbitrator?" 15 Then He said, "Be on your guard against every form of greed. One's life does not consist of what he owns."

16 And He told them a parable."A rich man had very productive land." 17 "He decided he must do something because his crops were too great to store in his barns." 18 "He decided to tear down his old barns and replace them with bigger ones." 19 "He was figured that this would provide him with security for many years." 20 "But God said to him, 'You fool. Tonight I will require your soul. Now what will become of all you have?'" 21 "So it is for the man who stores up treasure for himself, but is not rich toward God." 22 And He said to His disciples, "This is why I tell you not to worry about how you will provide food and clothing for yourselves." 23 "Life is more than food and clothing." 24 "See how the ravens are fed by God even though they do not sow or reap. And you are more valuable than the birds." 25 "Which of you can add to the length of his life by worry?" 26 "If you cannot do this, then why worry about other things?" 27 "Look at the lilies. They grow without working. Even Solomon's glory cannot be compared to their's." 28 "If God clothes the grass of the field with such beauty, and it is soon gone, how much more will He cloth you, though you have so little faith." 29 "Do not concern yourself over what you will eat or drink." 30 "The world eagerly seeks these things, but your Father know that you need them." 31 "Seek His kingdom and these will be provided to you." 32 "Fear not. Your Father is happy to give you the kingdom." 33 "Sell what you have and give it to others. Convert your money to treasure in heaven where no thief can steal it and no moth will come to destroy it." 34 "Your heart will be where your treasure is."

35 "Be dressed and ready with your lamps burning," 36 "like men waiting for their master to return from the wedding, so that they are ready to open the door for him the moment he knocks." 37 "Blessed are those servants whom the master finds ready and waiting for his return. I tell you the truth, he will gird himself and serve them as they recline at his table." 38 "Even if he comes in the second or third watch, blessed are those servants who are ready and waiting."

39 "You can be sure that if the head of house had known exactly when the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into." 40 "You too must be ready, for the Son of Man will come when you are not expecting Him." 41 Peter asked Him, "Lord are you addressing this parable just to us, or is it for everyone?" 42 Jesus answered, "Who is the faithful steward, whom the LORD will put in charge of His servants, to give them their portion at the right time?" 43 "Blessed is that servant who is found ready when his Lord comes." 44 "Truly, He will put him in charge of all he has." 45 "But if the servant should say to himself, 'My master will not come for a long time,' and he begins to beat the other servants, and feast and get drunk," 46 "his master will come unexpectedly and cut him in pieces, assigning him a place with the unbelievers." 47 "The servant who knew what his master wanted and did not do it, will receive many lashes." 48 "But the servant who did not know what his master wanted and did things worthy of a flogging, will receive only a few lashes. Those to whom much is given, much will be required. The more they are entrusted with, the more will be expected of them." 49 "I have come to cast fire on the earth and how I wish it were already kindled!" 50 "But I have a baptism coming. How I wish it was already accomplished!"

51 "Do you think that I came to grant peace on earth? No, My coming causes division." 52 "Five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three." 53 "Father may be against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, and sometimes the -in-laws against their -in-laws."

54 He was also saying, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you expect a shower and one comes." 55 "When you see a south wind blowing, you correctly predict a hot day." 56 "You are hypocrites! You can discern the signs in the sky and on the earth, but you do not discern this present time."

57 "Why do you not see what is right?" 58 "While you and your opponent are going to appear before the magistrate, make every effort to settle your differences, lest the judge sentence you to prison." 59 "And you will not get out of prison until you have paid the last cent."

Luke 13 - RWB Paraphrase (35 V)
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1 On that same occasion someone told him of some Galileans whose blood Pilate has mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus said to them, "Do you think that these Galileans suffered this fate because they were greater sinners than other Galileans?" 3 "I tell you, no! And unless you repent you will perish, too." 4 "Or do you think that when the tower of Siloam fell on the eighteen causing their deaths, that they were more sinful than all the others living in Jerusalem?" 5 "I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too, will perish."

6 He told them this parable."A man had a fig tree in his vineyard. He came expecting fruit but did not find any." 7 "He said to the vineyard keeper, 'See here, I have waited three years for fruit on this fig tree and have found none. Cut it down so that it does not use up the ground.'" 8 "But the vineyard keeper said to him, 'Leave it for one more year. I will dig around it and fertilize it.'" 9 "If it does not bear fruit next year, then I will cut it down."

10 Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 A woman was there who had a sickness caused by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent double, unable to straighten up. 12 Seeing her, Jesus called her over and said, "Woman, you are freed from your sickness." 13 He laid His hands on her and she was immediately made well. Standing erect she began glorifying God. 14 But the synagogue official was indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath. He said to the crowd, "There are six days for work to be done. So do not come on the Sabbath day to be healed." 15 But the LORD answered him, saying, "You hypocrites. Don't you untie your ox or your donkey on the Sabbath day and lead it to water?" 16 "Here is a woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan had bound for eighteen years. Shouldn't she be released from her bond on the Sabbath day?" 17 This humiliated His opponents and the entire crowd rejoiced over the glorious things that He was doing. 18 So He said, "What is the kingdom of God like? What can it be compared to?" 19 "It is like a mustard seed which a man planted and it grew big enough for birds to nest in." 20 "What else can the kingdom of God be compared to?" 21 "It is like yeast which a woman mixes with three measures of flour, causing all the flour to rise."

22 Jesus was passing from one city and village to another, teaching as He headed for Jerusalem. 23 Someone said, "Lord, only a few are being saved." And He replied, 24 "strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many trying to enter will not be able." 25 "When the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, though you stand outside and knock, asking, Lord, 'Open up to us,' He will say, I do not know you!" 26 "You may say, 'We ate and drank at your table. You taught in our streets.'" 27 "And He will answer, 'I do not know you. Depart from Me, you evildoers.'" 28 "At that time there will be weeping and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, as well as all the prophets, in God's kingdom, and you having been shut out." 29 "Many will come from east and west, and from north and south, to recline at the table in the kingdom of God." 30 "Behold, some who are last will be first. And some who are first will be last."

31 Just then some Pharisees came and told Him, "Go away. Herod wants to kill you." 32 He answered them, saying, "Go tell that fox that I cast out devils and cure people today and tomorrow. The third day I reach My goal." 33 "Nevertheless, I must journey on today, tomorrow and the next day. For a prophet must not perish outside of Jerusalem."

34 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you would not have it!" 35 "Behold, your house is left to you desolate. You will not see Me until that time when you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!'"

Luke 14 - RWB Paraphrase (35 V)
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1 Jesus went to the house of a leaders of the Pharisees. It was Sabbath and they watched Him closely. 2 A man was there who suffered from dropsy, or edema. 3 Jesus questioned the lawyers, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" 4 They would not answer. Jesus took hold of the man, healed him, and sent him away. 5 Then He said to them, "Which one of you who has an ox or a donkey, if it falls into a pit will not immediately pull it out on a Sabbath day?" 6 They could make no reply to this.

7 Jesus gave a parable to the invited guests as He noticed them trying to take places of honor at the table. 8 He said, "When you are invited to a feast, do not take the place of honor. Someone more distinguished than you may have been invited." 9 "You might be asked to give your place to that person and then in disgrace be asked move to the last place." 10 "When invited, go to the last place so that the one who invited you may invite you to a place at the table with more honor." 11 "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

12 Then He said to the one who had invited Him, "When you give a dinner or supper, do not call your friends, relatives or rich neighbors, who can return the favor by then returning the favor." 13 "Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind." 14 "You will be blessed in doing this because they do not have the means to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection."

15 One who reclined at the table with Him heard this, and said, "Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!" 16 Then Jesus said to him, "A man was giving a great supper to which he invited many people." 17 "When the time came for the meal, he sent his servant to tell those invited that everything was ready. Please come." 18 "All those who had been invited made excuses. One begged off saying he had bought some land needed to go out and look at it." 19 "Another said that he had just bought five yoke of oxen and was about to try them out." 20 "Yet another said he had just married a wife and could not come." 21 "The servant came back with his report and the master of the house was angry at those people who placed such a light value on his offer. So he told his servant to go out into the streets and alleys of the city and bring in the poor, blind and lame." 22 "The servant did this and reported that there was still room for more people." 23 "His master said, 'Go out to the highways and hedges and compel them to come, so that my house may be filled.'" 24 "For I tell you, none of those originally invited shall taste of my dinner."

25 Large crowds were accompanying Jesus. He turned to them and said, 26 "Anyone coming to me who places his father or mother, wife or children, brothers or sisters, even his own life, ahead of Me, cannot be My disciple." 27 "Anyone following Me must be willing to carry his cross or he cannot be My disciple." 28 "If you want to build a tower don't you first sit down and count what it will cost so you may know if you have enough to complete it?" 29 "Otherwise after laying the foundation, when you are unable to finish the project you will be the object of ridicule." 30 "People will say, 'What he started he was not able to finish.'" 31 "Or what king plans for a battle against another king without first determining if he is strong enough to win the battle with fewer men then his opponent has." 32 "He may need to send messengers to the other king with terms of peace." 33 "Just so, no one can be My disciple who does not give up everything that is his." 34 "Therefore, salt is good, but if it has lost its saltiness, of what value is it?" 35 "It is of no use for anything and is thrown away. So give serious thought to what I have said."

Luke 15 - RWB Paraphrase (32 V)
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1 Tax collectors and sinners were coming to be near to Jesus and hear what He was saying. 2 As a result, the scribes and Pharisees grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and even eats with them." 3 So Jesus told them a parable. 4 "Which of you, if he had one hundred sheep and loses one will not leave the ninety nine in the pasture and go look for the lost sheep?" 5 "After finding it, you will rejoice as you carry it home on your shoulders." 6 "When you get home you will call together your friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me for I have found my lost sheep!'" 7 "I tell you, there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety nine who do not need to repent."

8 "Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one of them, will not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it." 9 "After she finds it she will call together her friends and neighbors, and say, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost coin!'" 10 "In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

11 Then He said, "A man had two sons." 12 "The younger said to his father, 'Give me the portion of the estate that falls to me.' So his father divided his wealth between his sons." 13 "Not long after that the younger son gathered what he would take with him and journeyed to a distant country. There he squandered his estate with riotous living." 14 "When his money was gone, a severe famine came to that country and he began to suffer from want." 15 "He hired himself out to someone who sent him into his fields to feed his pigs." 16 "He was so hungry he thought about eating what the pigs were eating. No one gave him anything." 17 "Then he came to his senses, saying to himself, 'My father's hire hands have plenty to eat and I am starving.'" 18 "I will leave this place and go to my father and admit to him that I have sinned against heaven and against him." 19 "I will say to him, 'I am no longer worthy to be called your son. I want to be one of your hired men.'" 20 "So he got up and headed home to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion. He ran to meet his son and hugged and kissed him." 21 "The son said to his father, 'I have sinned against heaven and in you sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'" 22 "But the Father said to his servants, go and get the best robe for my son. Put a ring on his hand sandals on his feet." 23 "Prepare the fatted calf so we can eat and celebrate." 24 "My son was dead and now he is alive. He was lost and now has been found.' And they began to celebrate." 25 "His older son was in the field working and as he approached the house, he heard music and dancing." 26 "He asked one of the servants what was happening." 27 "They answered, 'Your brother has come home and your father has killed the fatted calf to celebrate his safe return.'" 28 "But the older son became angry and would not go in. His father came out and pleaded with him." 29 "But he said to his father, 'See how many years I have served you and neglected none of your commands. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends." 30 "Now that this son of yours, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, comes home, you kill the fatted calf for him.'" 31 "His father said, 'Son, you have always been with me. Everything I have is yours." 32 "But we must celebrate your brother's return, for he was dead and has begun to live again. He was lost and has been found.'"

Luke 16 - RWB Paraphrase (31 V)
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1 Jesus told His disciples this parable: "A rich man had a manager who he discovered was squandering his possessions." 2 "He called the man in and said, 'What is this I hear? You must give an accounting of your management because I am letting you go.'" 3 "The manager said to himself, 'What can I do if I lose my Job? I can't dig and I won't beg." 4 "I know what I can do when I am no longer a manager so that I will be welcomed in someone's home." 5 "Calling each of his master's debtors, he asked the first, 'How much do you owe my master?'" 6 "He answered, 'A hundred measures of oil.' So he cut the man's bill in half." 7 "The next man came in and he cut his bill from a hundred measures of wheat to eighty." 8 "As a result, his master praised the unrighteous manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this age are more shrewd than the sons of light." 9 "I tell you that you should make friends for yourselves using your unrighteous wealth so that when it fails they will receive you into the eternal dwellings." 10 "He who is faithful in small things will be faithful in greater things. And he who is unrighteous in little ways will be unrighteous in greater ways." 11 "So if you have been unfaithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will trust you with true riches?" 12 "If you cannot be faithful when caring for someone else's wealth, who will give you your own?"

13 "No one can serve two masters. He will surely love one and hate the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." 14 "The Pharisees who loved money scoffed as they listen to Him." 15 So He said to them, "You justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts. That which men place great value on is detestable in God's sight." 16 "The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time the gospel of the kingdom has been preached and everyone is trying to get in." 17 "It is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for any part of the Law to fail." 18 "Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery. And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery."

19 "There was a rich man who was used to dressing in purple and fine linen. He lived in splendor every day." 20 "A poor man named Lazarus was covered with sores and sat at the rich man's gate." 21 "His only hope was to receive the crumbs falling from the rich man's table. Dogs would come and licked his sores." 22 "The poor man eventually died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom. Later the rich man also died and was buried." 23 "In hell he looked up and in his torment saw Abraham far away with Lazarus in his bosom." 24 "He cried out saying, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to give me just a little water to cool my tongue. I am in agony in this flame.'." 25 "But Abraham replied, 'You remember that during your lifetime you had it good and Lazarus had it bad. Now he is being comforted and while you are in agony.'" 26 "And there is a great chasm between you and us so that no one get across.'" 27 "Then the rich man said, 'I beg you to send Lazarus to warn my father's house.'" 28 "I have five brothers and I want them to be warned so they may avoid this place." 29 "But Abraham said, 'They have Moses and the prophets. They should pay attention to them.'" 30 "The rich man said, 'But if someone from the dead warns them, they will repent.'" 31 "Abraham replied, 'If they will not listen to Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded even if someone were to rise from the dead.'"

Luke 17 - RWB Paraphrase (37 V)
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1 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Stumbling blocks are inevitable, but woe to the one through whom they come!" 2 "Anyone causing little ones to stumble would be better off having a millstone hung around his neck and to be thrown into the sea." 3 "Watch out! If your brother sins, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him." 4 "Even if he sins against you seven times a day, and then repents each time, forgive him."

5 The apostles said, "Lord, increase our faith!" 6 He said to them, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can tell this mulberry tree to be uprooted and planted in the sea, and it will obey you." 7 "Which of you having a servant plowing or tending your sheep, will say to him after he comes in from the field, 'Come, sit and eat?'" 8 "Instead, you will say to him, 'Change your clothes and serve me while I eat and drink. Afterward you may also eat and drink?'" 9 "You will not thank the servant for doing what he has been told to do, will you?" 10 "It is the same when you do what is commanded of you. You say, we are unworthy servants who are doing what we ought to do."

11 While Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem He was passing between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As He entered a village ten lepers came to meet Him and stood some distance from Him. 13 They raised their voices saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" 14 When He saw them, He said, "Go show yourselves to the priests." As they went, they were cleansed. 15 One of them, seeing he had been healed, immediately turned back and glorified God with a loud voice. 16 Falling at Jesus feet he thanked Him. He was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus said, "Weren't there ten lepers cleansed? Where are the other nine?" 18 "Why did only this foreigner returned to give God glory?" 19 Then He told the man, "Be on your way. Your faith has made you whole."

20 The Pharisees questioned Jesus as to when the kingdom of God would come? He answered them, saying, "The kingdom of God is not something you will see." 21 "No one will be able to say, 'Look, there it is!' The kingdom of God is in your midst." 22

He said to His disciples, "The day will come when you will long for the time when the Son of Man walked here with you." 23 "Someone will say to you, 'He is in such and such a place.' Do not go where they say He is." 24 "When the Son of Man comes it will be like lightening, seen everywhere at once." 25 "But first, the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation." 26 "As it was in Noah's day, so it will be with the Son of Man." 27 "In Noah's day they ate and drank, and had weddings, right up to the time Noah went into the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed every one of them." 28 "It was the same in Lot's day. They were eating, drinking, buying and selling, planting and building." 29 "But on the day Lot went out of Sodom, heaven rained fire and brimstone on all of them." 30 "That is how it will be when the Son of Man is revealed." 31 "On that day those on their housetops must not go down to gather up their belongings. And those in the field must not go home before fleeing." 32 "Remember Lot's wife." 33 "Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it. The one not afraid to lose his life will preserve it." 34 "I tell you, on that night there will be two in bed. One will be taken and the other will be left alive." 35 "Two women will be grinding. One will be taken and the other will be left alive." 36 "Two men will be in the field. One will be taken the other will be left alive." 37 They asked Him, "Taken where Lord?" Jesus replied, "Where the body is, there the vultures will gather."

Luke 18 - RWB Paraphrase (43 V)
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1 He told them a parable to show that at all times they should pray and not be discouraged. 2 He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who feared neither God or man." 3 "A widow in that city kept coming to him and asking for legal protection against her adversary." 4 "At first he was unwilling to help her. But after a while he decided that even though he had no respect for God or man," 5 "this woman was wearing him down. So he helped her." 6 The LORD said, "Notice why the unrighteous judge listened to her." 7 "Won't God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night? Will He make them wait for long?" 8 "I tell you, He will quickly bring about justice. However, when the Son of Man comes will He find faith on the earth?"

9 "And He told another parable to people who trusted in their own righteousness and looked down on others." 10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector." 11 "The Pharisee stood and prayed, saying, "God I thank You that I am not as other people, breaking Your commandments, as this tax collector does. 12 "I fast twice a week and I pay an honest tithe." 13 "But the tax collector stood some distance away, unwilling to lift his eyes to heaven. Beating his breast he said, 'God be merciful to me, a sinner!'" 14 "I tell you, this man went to his house justified. But the other did not. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

15 His disciples tried to stop some who were bringing their babies to be touched by Him. 16 But Jesus said, "Permit the children to come to Me. Do not stop them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." 17 "The truth is, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child does will not get in."

18 "A ruler questioned Him, saying, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19 Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? Only God is good." 20 "You know the commandments. Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, and honor your father and mother." 21 And the ruler said, "I have kept all these from my youth." 22 When Jesus heard this, He said, "You lack one thing. Sell all that you have and give it to the poor. Then you shall have treasure in heaven." 23 Hearing this, the man went away very sad, for he was very rich. 24 When Jesus saw this He said, "How difficult it is for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!" 25 "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven." 26 Those who heard Him say this wondered, "Who then can be saved?" 27 Jesus answered, "What is impossible for man is possible with God."

28 Peter said, "See, we have left our homes and followed You." 29 And Jesus said to them, "Truly, those who leaves behind house, wife, brothers or parents, for the sake of the kingdom of God," 30 "will receive many times as much in the present time and more in the world to come, including everlasting life."

31 Then He took the twelve aside and told them, "You must understand that we are going to Jerusalem and everything written in the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished." 32 "He will be handed over to the Gentiles to be mocked, mistreated and spit upon." 33 "They will scourge and kill Him. But on the third day He will rise again." 34 His disciples did not understand what He said, for its meaning was hidden from them.

35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man sat by the roadside begging. 36 When he heard the crowd passing by he asked what was happening. 37 They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. 38 He then called out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 39 Those leading the way sternly admonished the man to be quiet. But he only cried out louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 40 Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him. When he had come, Jesus asked him, 41 "what do you want Me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, I want to regain my sight!" 42 And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight. Your faith has made you well." 43 Immediately he regained his sight and glorified God as he followed Jesus. When the all people saw this, they also praised God.

Luke 19 - RWB Paraphrase (48 V)
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1 Jesus was passing through Jericho. 2 A rich man named Zaccheus was a chief tax collector there. 3 He wanted to see Jesus but could not see over the crowd because he was so short. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree for a better view as Jesus passed by. 5 When Jesus came near the tree where Zaccheus was, He looked up at Zaccheus and said to him, "Come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house." 6 So Zaccheus hurried down out of the tree and received Jesus with great joy. 7 Some began to grumble, saying, "He has gone to be a guest of a sinner." 8 Zaccheus stopped and said, "Lord, I will give half of my wealth to the poor and if I have defrauded anyone I will repay fourfold." 9 Then Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house. This man is a son of Abraham." 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.

11 While they were listening to these things, Jesus told a parable. He was near Jerusalem and many of them expected that the kingdom of God was about to come. 12 He said, "A nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom and then return." 13 "Calling ten of his servants, he gave them each a mina worth fifty shekels. He told them to invest it while he was away." 14 "His citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him saying, 'This man shall not reign over us.'"

15 "After receiving his kingdom, he returned and ordered his servants to give an account of the money he had given them." 16 "The first appeared, saying, 'Master, I have invested your mina and made ten more.'" 17 "He told the servant, 'Well done. You have been faithful with a little. I am placing you in charge of ten cities.'" 18 "The second came, saying, 'I was able to invest your mina has make five more.'" 19 "And he told that servant, 'Well done. You shall be in charge of five cities.'" 20 "Another servant came, saying, 'Master, here is your mina. I kept it in a handkerchief." 21 "I was afraid of you, knowing you expect a lot, reaping where you did not sow, so I took no chances.'" 22 "The nobleman said, 'You are condemned by your own words. Yes, I am exacting and I pick up where I have not laid down." 23 "Why then didn't you at least place my money in a bank where it could have drawn interest?'" 24 "To the bystanders he said, 'Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who made ten minas.'" 25 "They said, 'Master, he already has ten minas.'" 26 Then Jesus said, "I tell you that to everyone who produces, more shall be given, but the one who does not produce, even what he has will be taken from him." 27 "As for my enemies who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence."

28 After saying these things, He continued on His way to Jerusalem. 29 As He approached Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples, 30 telling them to go into the next village where they would find a colt tied that had never been ridden. They were to untie it and bring it to Him. 31 And if any one should ask them why they were taking the colt, they were to say that the LORD needed to use it. 32 "So they found the colt just as Jesus had described it." 33 As they untied it, its owners said, "Why are you untying the colt?" 34 They answered, "The LORD needs it." 35 They were then allowed to take it to Jesus. Arriving where Jesus was, they threw their coats on the colt and placed Jesus on it. 36 As He made His way towards Jerusalem, others spread their coats on the road in front of Him.

37 As He began the descent to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began to loudly praise God with great joy, telling of all the miracles they had seen. 38 They shouted, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Rebuke your disciples." 40 But Jesus answered, "I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!"

41 As Jesus came closer to Jerusalem, He looked at the city and wept, 42 saying, "If only you knew the things that make for peace! But these have been hidden from you." 43 "For the days will come when your enemies will throw a mound against your wall, hemming you in on every side." 44 "They will level you to the ground, killing you and your children. They will not leave one stone on top of another, because you did not recognize the time of your opportunity."

45 Jesus entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling. 46 He said to them, "My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of robbers."

47 He taught daily in the temple. All the while the chief priests, scribes and leading men wanted to destroy Him. 48 They could find no way to accomplish this because all the people were hanging on His every word.

Luke 20 - RWB Paraphrase (47 V)
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1 One day as Jesus was preaching the gospel and teaching in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes confronted Him. 2 They asked, "Who gave You authority to do what You are doing?" 3 "Jesus said, "I will also ask you a question. 4 "Tell Me, was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men?" 5 They reasoned among themselves how to answer His question. If they said from heaven, He would ask why they had not believed him? 6 But if they said from men, all the people would stone them, for the people were convinced that John was a prophet. 7 So they answered, "We do not know where his baptism came from." 8 Then Jesus said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."

9 Jesus then told the people a parable."A man planted a vineyard and rented it to those who were to care for it. He planned to be gone on a journey for some time." 10 "At the time of the harvest, he sent a servant to those who had rented the vineyard in order to receive his share of the crop. Instead they beat the man and sent him away without payment." 11 "So he sent another servant. They beat him, too, and treated him shamefully before sending him away empty handed." 12 "So he sent a third servant and this one they wounded and cast out." 13 "The owner of the vineyard said, 'I will send my beloved son. Surely they will respect him.'" 14 "But when his son came to the vineyard they said, 'This is the heir. Let's kill him and the inheritance will be ours.'" 15 "So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to these people?" 16 "He will come and destroy those whom he left in charge and give the vineyard to others. When they heard this parable, they said, 'May it never be.'" 17 Jesus looked at them and said, "You have read in scripture that the stone which the builders rejected was actually the chief corner stone." 18 "Whoever falls on that stone will be broken. But whoever the stone falls on will be scattered like dust."

19 The scribes and chief priests understood that the parable had been spoken against them. They would have laid hands on Him that very hour but they feared the people. 20 So they sent spies who pretended to be interested in His words. They hoped to catch Him in some statement, and then be able to deliver Him to the governor.

21 One of them said, "Teacher, we know You speak God's truth correctly without partiality to anyone." 22 "Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar?" 23 He understood what they were trying to do and said, 24 "Show Me a piece of money. Whose likeness is on the money?" They said, "Caesar's." 25 Then Jesus said, "Give to Caesar what is his and to God what belongs to Him." 26 They were unable to catch Him in anything while the people were around. They became silent, and amazed by His answer.

27 Some Sadducees came to Jesus. They did not believe in the resurrection. 28 They questioned Him using scripture, saying, "Moses said that if a man's brother dies leaving a childless wife, his brother should raise up children for him." 29 "Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife and died before having a child." 30 "The second took her as his wife and he, too, died childless." 31 "The third married her, and as with the first two brothers, he had no children. Neither did any of the other brothers." 32 "Eventually the woman died without any children." 33 "In the resurrection whose wife will she be? For all seven had her as their wife." 34 Jesus said, "Men in this life get married." 35 "But those considered worthy of being resurrected will not marry." 36 "Neither will they die any more. They will be like the angels and be sons of God." 37 "As for the dead being raised, even Moses addressed this in the passage about the burning bush. He called the LORD the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." 38 "He is not the God of those who are dead, but of the living. They will live again because of Him."

39 Some of the scribes said, "Teacher, You have spoken well," 40 for they had no more questions for Him. 41 Then Jesus said to them, "How can it be that the Christ is David's son?" 42 "David says in the Psalms, 'The LORD said to my Lord, sit at My right hand," 43 "until I make Your enemies Your footstool.'" 44 "If David calls Him LORD, how is He his son?'" 45 As the people listened He said to His disciples, 46 "beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes. They love respectful greetings in public and want the chief seats in the synagogue and places of honor at feasts." 47 "They devour widows houses and offer long prayers for appearance sake. These will receive greater condemnation."

Luke 21 - RWB Paraphrase (38 V)
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1 Jesus watched the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 Then a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 3 He said, "Truly, this poor widow gave more than all the others." 4 "They gave of their surplus, but she gave all she had to live on."

5 Some were admiring the temple and talking of its beautiful stones and the gifts being given to God. Jesus said, 6 "The day will come when these things will all be destroyed and not one stone will be left on top of another." 7 They questioned Him, "Teacher, when will this happen? Will there be a warning sign when it is about to take place?" 8 He said, "You must not allow yourself to be misled. Many will come claiming to be Me and say that the time is short. Do not follow them." 9 "Do not be terrified when you hear of wars and disturbances. These things must take place but it will not be the end." 10 Then He continued, by saying, "Nation will rise against nation." 11 "And there will be earthquakes, plagues and famines in various places. There will also be great signs in the heaven." 12 "Before all of these things happen, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you. You will be delivered to the synagogues and prisons and brought before governors for My name's sake." 13 "You will have an opportunity to give your testimony." 14 "So make up your minds not to prepare your defense ahead of time." 15 "I will give you words to say and wisdom which none will be able to refute." 16 "You will be betrayed by your relatives and friends. Some of you will put to death." 17 "You will be hated by all because of My name." 18 "But not a hair of your head will perish." 19 "By your patient endurance you will gain your lives." 20 "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that her destruction is near." 21 "Those in Judea must flea to the mountains. Those in the city must get out and those in the country must not go back to the city." 22 "Those will be days of vengeance as a fulfillment of all that has been written." 23 "Woe to those who are pregnant or nursing babies. The land will be in great distress." 24 "Some will fall by the sword and some will be exiled to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles has been fulfilled." 25 "There will be signs in the sun, the moon and the stars, and on the earth dismay among the nations, in perplexity because of the roaring waves of the sea." 26 "Men will faint from fear as they see the things which are coming upon the earth, for the power of the heavens will be shaken."

27 "Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." 28 "When these things begin to take place, look up, because your redemption is drawing near."

29 Then He told them a parable."When you watch the fig tree or any other tree," 30 "as soon as it puts forth leaves you know that summer is near." 31 "So it will be when you see all these things happening. Then you will know that the kingdom of God is near." 32 "Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place." 33 "Yes, heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away." 34 "Make sure your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and the worries of this life. This way the suddenness of the day will not catch you unexpectedly." 35 "This time will come upon all who dwell on the face of the earth." 36 "Be alert at all times. Pray for strength to escape all these things that will soon take place so that you may stand before the Son of Man."

37 During the day Jesus taught in the temple, but each evening He spent the night on the Mount of Olives. 38 And all the people would get up early to be taught by Him in the temple.

Luke 22 - RWB Paraphrase (71 V)
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1 The Feast of Unleavened Bread, also called Passover, was approaching. 2 The chief priests and scribes wanted to put Jesus to death but were afraid of the people. 3 Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve. 4 Going to the chief priests and officers he discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5 They were glad to have his help and said that they would pay him. 6 After this Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus when He was away from the crowd.

7 Then came the first day of Unleavened Bread when the Passover lamb must be killed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John to prepare the Passover for them. 9 They asked Him, "Where do You want us to prepare it?" 10 He said, "When you enter the city you will see a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him into the house he goes in to." 11 "Say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher is asking, where is the guest room where I and My disciples may eat the Passover?'" 12 "He will show you a large, furnished room. Prepare the Passover there." 13 They left and found everything just as Jesus had told them and they prepared the Passover.

14 At the appointed hour Jesus reclined at the table with the apostles. 15 He said to them, "I have wanted to eat this Passover with you before I suffer." 16 "I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." 17 When He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, "Share this among yourselves." 18 "I will not drink of the fruit of the vine anymore until the kingdom of God comes." 19 Then He took some bread and after giving thanks, broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me." 20 In the same way after they had eaten He took the cup and said, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood." 21 "The hand of the one who will betray Me is on the table with My hand." 22 "It has been determined how the Son of Man will die but woe to the one who betrays Him." 23 They began to discuss among themselves which of them would do this.

24 And there was also a dispute among them as to who was the greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise authority over those they want to be thought of as benefactors." 26 "It must not be this way with you. The one who is greatest among you must consider himself as a servant to the rest." 27 "Who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? It is not the one who reclines at the table, but the one who serves, for I have given you an example as One who serves." 28 "You have stood by Me in My trials." 29 "I am giving you a kingdom just as My Father has appointed it to Me." 30 "In My kingdom you will eat and drink at My table and you will sit on thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel."

31 And the LORD said, "Simon, Simon, Satan wants permission to sift you as wheat." 32 "But I have prayed for you that your faith will not fail. When you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." 33 But Peter said, "Lord, I am ready to go to prison or even die for You." 34 Then Jesus replied to Peter, "Before the rooster crows, you will denied Me three times."

35 Then He said, "When I sent you out without money, bag or sandals, did you lack for anything?" They said, "No, nothing." 36 He then said, "Now is the time that you should have a money belt and a bag. And if you do not have a sword, sell your coat and buy one." 37 "For what has been written must be fulfilled in Me where it says, 'And He was numbered with the transgressors.' This scripture refers to Me and will be fulfilled." 38 They said to Him, "Look Lord, we have two swords." And He replied, "It is enough." 39 Then, as was His custom, He went out to the Mount of Olives with His disciples. 40 Arriving at the place He asked them to pray so that they would not enter into temptation. 41 He withdrew about a stone's throw and knelt down and prayed, 42 "father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me. But I want to do Your will and not My own." 43 An angel from heaven came and strengthened Him. 44 As He prayed He was in such agony that He sweat great drops of blood. 45 He got up from praying and went to the disciples. Finding them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 He said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Wake up and pray so you will not be tempted."

47 While He was speaking to them a crowd came being led by Judas, one of the twelve. Coming up to Jesus, he kissed Him. 48 Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" 49 When those around Him saw what was happening, they said, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?" 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest cutting off his right ear. 51 Jesus said, "Stop! No more of this." And touching where the man's ear had been, He healed it.

52 Jesus said to the chief priests, the elders and the temple officers, "Why have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against a thief?" 53 "I was in the temple every day, and you did not lay hands on Me. But this hour and the power of darkness belong to you."

54 They arrested Him and led Him to the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55 A fire was burning in the middle of the courtyard, Peter sat with others around the fire. 56 A servant girl looked at him and after studying him carefully, said, "This man was also with Him." 57 But Peter denied it, saying, Woman, "I do not know Him." 58 A little later someone else recognized him and said, "Your are one of them!" But Peter denied it. 59 About an hour later another man insisted that Peter had been with Him, for he was a Galilean, too. 60 But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about." Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. 61 The LORD turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the LORD's words, 'Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times. 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

63 The men holding Jesus were mocking and beating Him. 64 They blindfolded Him and said, "Prophecy. Who hit you?" 65 And they blasphemed against Him in many other ways.

66 At daybreak the elders, the chief priests and the scribes led Him away to their council chamber. 67 They said, "If You are the Christ, tell us." Jesus answered, "If I tell you, you will not believe Me." 68 "And if I ask you a question, you will not answer or let Me go." 69 "The time will come when the Son of Man will sit on the throne at the right hand of the power of God." 70 Then they asked Him, "So are You the Son of God?" And Jesus said to them, "Yes, I am." 71 Having heard His answer, they said, "What other testimony is required? We have heard Him say it with His own mouth."

Luke 23 - RWB Paraphrase (56 V)
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1 Then the entire council took Jesus to Pilate. 2 They told Pilate that Jesus was misleading the nation, telling them not to pay taxes to Caesar and that He claimed to be Christ the king. 3 So Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus said, "Yes." 4 Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, I find no guilt in this man. 5 But His accusers kept insisting, "He stirs up the people all over Judea and as far as Galilee." 6 Hearing this, Pilate wanted to know if Jesus was Galilean? 7 Learning that he belonged in Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was in Jerusalem at the time.

8 Now Herod was glad to meet Jesus for he had wanted to see Him for some time. He had heard about the signs He had done and he wanted to see some of them. 9 When Jesus had been brought to Herod, he questioned Jesus at length but Jesus would not answer any questions. 10 All the while the chief priests and scribes stood by accusing Him vehemently.

11 Herod and his soldiers treated Jesus with contempt. They mocked Him, dressed Him in a royal robe and sent Him back to Pilate. 12 Previously Herod and Pilate had been enemies but after this they became friends.

13 Pilate summoned the chief priests, the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, "You brought this man to me saying that He incites the people to rebellion. I have examined Him and I find no guilt in Him regarding the charges you have brought against Him." 15 "Neither has Herod found Him deserving of death." 16 "Therefore, I will punish Him and release Him."

17 It was Pilate's custom during the feast to release one prisoner to the people. 18 But they cried out, "Away with this man. Release Barabbas to us!" 19 Barabbas was in prison for insurrection and murder. 20 Pilate wanted to release Jesus and kept talking with the people about this. 21 But they continued to say, "Crucify Him. Crucify Him!" 22 And Pilate asked them once more, "Why? What evil has he done? I find nothing in Him worthy of death. I will punish Him and release Him." 23 But the people insisted with loud voices that He be crucified. And the voices of the people and chief priests prevailed.

24 So Pilate granted their demand pronounced sentence on Jesus, 25 and release the man who had committed murder and insurrection. He then delivered Jesus to be crucified. 26 As they led Jesus away they seized Simon of Cyrene who was coming in from the country, and made him carry Jesus' cross.

27 A large crowd followed Jesus, including women who were lamenting what was being done to Him. 28 Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me. Weep instead for yourselves and your children." 29 "The days are coming when it will be said, 'Blessed are those who never bore children or nursed them.'" 30 "They will say, to the mountains, fall on us, and to the hills, cover us." 31 "If they do these things with a green tree, what will it be like when it is dry?" 32 Two criminals were also being led out to be crucified at the same time. 33 They were crucified at the place which is called Calvary. One criminal was crucified on His right and the other on His left.

34 Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them. They do not know what they are doing." The soldiers cast lots to divide up his garments among themselves. 35 People stood by watching as the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, "He saved others. Let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, God's Chosen One." 36 The soldiers mock Him, too, and offered Him sour wine. 37 They said, "So You are the King of the Jews. Save Yourself!" 38 An inscription was placed above Jesus that read, "This is the King of the Jews."

39 One of the criminals hanging next to Him was railing against Him, saying, "Aren't You the Christ? Save Yourself and us!" 40 But the other criminal rebuked him, saying, "You are going to die. Don't you fear God?" 41 "We are suffering justly for we deserve what is happening to us. This man has done nothing wrong." 42 Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." 43 And Jesus replied, "Truly, today I can promise you that you shall be with Me in Paradise."

44 About noon darkness came over the whole land until three o'clock. 45 The sun did not shine and the veil in the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit." Having said this, He breathed His last. 47 When the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, "Certainly this was a Righteous Man." 48 The crowds who had observed all this went away beating their breasts. 49 All of His acquaintances and the women who had followed Him from Galilee watched from a distance.

50 A man named Joseph, a member of the Council, was a good and righteous man. 51 He had not consented to their plan to kill Jesus. He was from Arimathaea, a city of the Jews, and was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Taking it down, he wrapped it in a linen cloth, and placed in a tomb cut in the rock where no one had ever been buried.

54 It was the preparation day and the Sabbath drew near. 55 The women who had come with Him from Galilee followed and saw where His body had been placed. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and rested on the Sabbath, according to the commandment.

Luke 24 - RWB Paraphrase (53 V)
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1 On the first day of the week, just before the sun was up, the women brought the spices to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away. 3 They looked inside but the body of the LORD was not there. 4 While they stood there perplexed by this, two men appeared in dazzling clothing. 5 The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground. The men said to them, "Why are you looking for the Living One among the dead?" 6 "He is not here. He has risen. Remember what He said while He was still in Galilee?" 7 "He said He must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and rise again on the third day." 8 Then they remembered what Jesus had said. 9 They left the tomb and reported to the believers what they had seen and heard. 10 The women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Mary the mother of James and some other women. They told the apostles what they had found. 11 Their explanation seemed like nonsense to the apostles and the women were not believed. 12 However, Peter ran to the tomb and went in. He saw the linen wrappings but nothing else. He went home marveling.

13 Later that day two of them were going to the village of Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were discussing everything that had happened. 15 While they talked, Jesus approached and traveled with them. 16 They were prevented from recognizing Him. 17 He said to them, "What have you been discussing?" At this question they became very sad. 18 One of them named Cleopas said, "Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem who is unaware of what has happened?" 19 And Jesus said, "What things?" So they told Him about Jesus the Nazarene, who was a mighty prophet in the sight of God. They said, "Everyone knows this." 20 They told how the chief priests and rulers had delivered Him to be crucified. 21 "And we had hoped that He was the One who would redeem Israel. This is the third day since this happened." 22 "And today some women amazed us, telling us how they were at the tomb early this morning," 23 "and did not find His body. They said they had seen a vision of angels who said that He is alive." 24 "Some of us went to the tomb and found it just as they had described it. His body was not there."

25 Then Jesus said to them, "O foolish men, so slow to believe everything spoken of by the prophets!" 26 "Wasn't it necessary for the Christ to suffer these things before entering into His glory?" 27 Then, beginning with Moses and the prophets, He explained all the prophesies concerning Himself in the scriptures. 28 They were approaching the place where they would stay and Jesus acted as though He was going farther. 29 They said, "It will soon be evening. Stay the evening with us." So He went in and stayed with them. 30 When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it before breaking it. Then He gave it to them. 31 At that moment their eyes were opened and they knew Who He was. Then He vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, "Didn't our hearts burn within us while He talked with us on the road as He explained the scriptures to us?"

33 They immediately returned to Jerusalem and found the eleven gathered with some of the others. 34 They were discussing how the LORD has risen and had appeared to Simon. 35 Then the two who had just arrived told how Jesus had talked with them on the road and how they recognized Him when He broke the bread.

36 While they were discussing these things, Jesus Himself stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." 37 They thought they were seeing a spirit and it frightened them. 38 He said to them, "Why are you troubled and why do you doubt?" 39 "See My hands and My feet. Touch Me. A spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." 40 While saying this, He was showing them His hands and His feet. 41 As they looked on with joy and amazement He asked for something to eat. 42 They gave Him a piece of broiled fish and some honeycomb. 43 He ate it as they watched. 44 He said, "You remember what I said before all this happened, that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled?" 45 Then He opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 saying, "Thus it is written that the Christ must suffer and rise from the dead on the third day," 47 "and that repentance and forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all nations, but first at Jerusalem." 48 "You have been witnesses of these things." 49 "And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. You are to stay in Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high."

50 He led them out of the city as far as Bethany where He lifted His hands and blessed them. 51 While He was doing this, He was separated from them and carried up into heaven. 52 They worshiped Him and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they were in the temple continually praising God.

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