Annotations on the Bible Volume 2
CHAP. II.
1 I lift up mine eyes again , and looked and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand .
2 Then said I, Whither goest thou ? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem , to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof.
3 And behold the angel that talked with me, went forth , and another angel went out to meet him .
4 And said unto him, Run , speak unto this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls, for the multitude of men and cattle therein.
5 For I, saith the LORD , will be unto her a wall of fire round about , and will be the glory in the midst of her.
6 Ho, ho , come forth , and flee from the land of the north , saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven , saith the LORD.
7 Deliver thyself, O Zion , who dwellest with the daughter of Babylon .
8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, After the glory hath he sent me to the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of his eye.
9 For behold, I will shake mine hand upon them , and they shall be a spoil unto their servants , and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me .
10 Sing and rejoice , O daughter of Zion , for lo, I come , and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD.
11 And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day , and shall be my people : and I will dwell in the midst of thee , and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee .
12 And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land , and shall choose Jerusalem again .
13 Be silent , O all flesh , before the LORD : for he is raised up out of his holy habitation .
CHAP. III.
1 AND he shown me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan f standing at his right hand to resist him .
2 And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan: even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire ?
3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel .
4 And he answered , and spake unto those that stood before him , saying, Take away the filthy garments from him . And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee , and I will clothe thee with change of raiment .
5 And I said Let them set a fair mitre upon his head: So they set a fair mitre on his head and clothed him with garments, And the angel of the LORD stood by.
6 And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying.
7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts , If thou wilt walk in my ways , and if thou wilt keep my charge , then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.
8 Hear now , O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows , that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at : for behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.
9 For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua: upon one stone shall be seven eyes, behold, I will engrave the graving thereof; saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.
10 In that day saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbor under the vine , and under the fig-tree.
CHAP. IV.
1 ANd the angel that talked with me , came again , and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep.
2 And said unto me, What seest thou ? And I said, I have looked , and behold, a candlestick all of gold , with † a bowl h upon the top of it , and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps , which are on the top thereof.
3 And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.
4 So I answered , and spake to the angel that talked with me i, saying, What are these my lord?
5 Then the angel that talked with me answered, and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said , No, my LORD .
6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying: This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel , saying, Not by might , nor by power , but by my spirit , saith the LORD of hosts.
7 Who art thou, O great mountain ? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain , and he shall bring forth the head stone thereof with shoutings : crying, Grace, grace unto it.
8 Moreover , the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
9 The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you .
10 For who hath despised the day of small things ? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel, with those seven , they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.
11 Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive-trees upon the right side of the candlestick, and upon the left side thereof?
12 And I answered again and said unto him , What be these two olive-branches , which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves ?
13 And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be ? And I said, No, my lord.
14 Then said he, These are the two anointed ones , that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.
CHAP. V.
1 THen I turned , and lift up mine eyes , and looked , and behold a flying roll .
2 And he said unto me, What seest thou ? And I answered, I see a flying roll, the length thereof is twenty cubits , and the breadth thereof ten cubits.
3 Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth : for everyone that stealeth, shall be cut off as on this side: according to it , and everyone that sweareth , shall be cut off as on that side, according to it.
4 I will bring it forth saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief , and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my Name : and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof; and the stones thereof .
5 Then the angel that talked with me went forth , and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes , and see what is this that goeth forth?
6 And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that goeth forth . He said moreover , This is their resemblance through all the earth.
7 And behold there was li • t up a talent of lead : and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah.
8 And he said , This is Wickedness , And he cast it into the midst of the ephah, and he cast the weight of lead on the mouth thereof.
9 Then lift I up mine eyes , and looked , and behold, there came out two women , and the wind was in their wings for they had wings like the wings of a stork and they lift up the ephah between the earth and the he • ven .
10 Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah?
11 And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar : and it shall be establi • hed and set there upon her own base .
CHAP. VI.
1 AND I turned , and lift up mine eyes , and looked, and behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains, and the mountains were mountains of brass .
2 In the first chariot were red horses, and in the second chariot black horses.
3 And in the third chariot white horses, and in the fourth chariot grisled , and bay l horses.
4 Then I answered and said unto the Angel that talked with me, what are these my lord?
5 And the Angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens which go forth from standing before the LORD of the whole earth .
6 The black horses which are therein , go forth into the north-country , and the white go forth after them t : and the grisled go forth toward the south country .
7 And the bay went forth , and sought to go, that they might walk to and fro through the earth : and he said , Get ye hence , walk to and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth.
8 Then cried he upon me and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country.
9 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
10 Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day , and go into the house of Josiah, the son of Zephaniah.
11 Then take silver and gold , and make crowns , and set them upon the head of Joshua , the son of Josedech the high priest.
12 And speak unto him , saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is the BRANCH , and he shall grow up out of his place , and he shall build the temple of the LORD.
13 Even he shall build ▪ the temple of the LORD , and he shall bear the glory , and he shall sit , and rule upon his throne , and he shall be a priest upon his throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both .
14 And the crowns shall be to Helem , and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD.
15 And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you . And this shall come to pass , if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.
CHAP. VII.
1 AND it came to pass , in the fourth year of king Darius , that the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chis • en .
2 When they had sent unto the house of God , Sherezer and Regem-melech , and their men to pray before the LORD .
3 And to speak to the priests which were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets , saying, Should I weep in the fifth month , separating myself ; as I have done these so many years ?
4 Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying,
5 Speak unto all the people of the land , and to the priests , saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth , and seventh months, even those seventy years , did ye at all fast unto me ? even to me ?
6 And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did ye not eat for yourselves ? and drink for yourselves ?
7 Should ye not hear the words which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets , when Jerusalem was inhabited, and in prosperity , and the cities thereof round about her, when men inhabited the south and the plain?
8 And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying,
9 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment , and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother .
10 And oppress not the widow , nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor, and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart .
11 But they refused to hearken , and pulled away the shoulder , and stopped their ears that they should not hear .
12 Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law , and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets : therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts .
13 Therefore it is come to pass that as he cried, and they would not hear: so they cried and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts.
14 But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they know not ; Thus the land was desolate after them , that no man passed through, or returned , for they laid the pleasant land desolate.
CHAP. VIII.
1 AGain the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying,
2 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy , and I was jealous for her with great fury .
3 Thus saith the LORD, I am returned unto Zion , and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem , and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth ; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts , the holy mountain .
4 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, There shall yet old men , and old women , dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age .
5 And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and of girls playing in the streets thereof.
6 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, If it be marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days , should it also be marvelous in mine eyes? saith the LORD of hosts .
7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts , Behold , I will save my people from the east-country , and from the west-country .
8 And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and they shall be my people , and I will be their God in truth and in righteousness .
9 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Let your hands be strong , ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets , which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid , that the temple might be built .
10 For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast, neither was there any peace to him that went out, or came in, because of the affliction : for I set all men, everyone against his neighbor.
11 But now q I will not be unto the residue of this people, as in the former days , saith the LORD of hosts .
12 For the seed shall be prosperous, the vine shall give her fruit , and the ground shall give her increase , and the heavens shall give their dew , and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.
13 And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen , O house of Judah , and house of Israel ; so will I save you , and ye shall be a blessing : fear not, but let your hands be strong .
14 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, As I thought to punish you , when your fathers provoked me to wrath, saith the LORD of hosts, and I repented not .
15 So again have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah: fear ye not .
16 These are the things that ye shall do, Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbor , execute the judgment of truth , and peace in your gates .
17 And let none of you imagine evil in your heart against his neighbor , and love no false oath : for all these are things that I hate , saith the LORD.
18 And the word of the LORD of hosts came unto me, saying,
19 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, The fast of the fourth month , and the fast of the fifth , and the fast of the seventh , and the fast of the tenth shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness , and cheerful feasts ; therefore love the truth and peace.
20 Thus saith the LORD of hosts , It shall yet come to pass , that there shall come people , and inhabitants of many cities.
21 And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another , saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts , I will go also .
22 Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem , and to pray before the LORD.
23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts , in those days it shall come to pass , that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew , saying, We will go with you : for we have heard that God is with you .
CHAP. IX.
1 THE burden of the word of the LORD in the land of Hadrach , and Damascus shall be the rest thereof : when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel shall be towards the LORD.
2 And Hamath also shall border thereby, Tyrus , and Zidon , though it be very wise .
3 And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold , and heaped up silver as the dust , and fine gold as the mire of the streets.
4 Behold , the LORD will cast her out , and he will smite her power in the sea , and she shall be devoured with fire .
5 Ashkelon shall see it , and fear : Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful , and Ekron : for her expectation shall be ashamed , and th • king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited .
6 And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod , and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines .
7 And I will take away his blood out of his mouth , and his abominations from between his teeth : but he that remaineth, even he shall be for our God; and he shall be as a Governor in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite .
8 And I will encamp about mine house , because of the army , because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth ; and no oppressiour shall pass through them anymore: for now have I seen with mine eyes.
9 Rejoice greatly , O daughter of Zion ; Shout , O daughter of Jerusalem : behold, thy King cometh unto thee : he is just , and having salvation ; lowly , and riding upon an ass , and upon a colt, the foal of an ass .
10 And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim , and the horse from Jerusalem , and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall speak peace unto the heathen , and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea t, and from the river , even to the ends of the earth .
11 As for thee also, by the blood , of thy covenant I have se nt forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water .
12 Turn ye to the strong hold , ye prisoners of hope : even today do I declare that I will render double unto thee.
13 When I have bent Judah for me , filled the bow with Ephraim , and raised up thy sons, O Zion , against thy sons, O Greece , and made thee as the sword of a mighty man .
14 And the LORD shall be seen over them , and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning : and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet , and shall go with whirlwinds of the south .
15 The LORD of hosts shall defend them , and they shall devour , and subdue with sling-stones , and they shall drink , and make a noise as through wine , and they shall be filled like bowls , and as the corners of the altar.
16 And the LORD their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people for they shall be as the stones of a crown , lifted up, as an ensign upon his land .
17 For how great is his goodness, , and how great is his beauty ? corn shall make the young men cheerful , and new wine the maids .
CHAP. X.
1 ASk ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain , so the LORD shall make bright clouds , and give them showers of rain to everyone grass in the field.
2 For the idols have spoken vanity , and the diviners have seen a lie , and have told false dreams : they comfort in vain : therefore they went their away as a flock, they were troubled , because there was no shepherd .
3 Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds , and I punished the goats : for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock, the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the of battle .
4 Out of him came forth the corner , out of him the nail , out of him the battle-bow , out of him every oppressor together.
5 And they shall be as mighty men , which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle : and they shall fight , because the LORD is with them : and the riders on horses shall be confounded .
6 And I will strengthen the house of Judah , and I will save the house of Joseph , and I will bring them again to place them ; for I have mercy upon them : and they shall be as though I had not cast them off : for I am the LORD their God , and will hear them .
7 And they of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man , and their heart shall rejoice as through wine yea, their children shall see it, and be glad , their heart shall rejoice in the LORD .
8 I will hiss for them , and gather them for I have redeemed them : and they shall increase as they have increased .
9 And I will sow them among the people : and they shall remember me in far countries , and they shall live with their children , and turn again .
10 I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt h, and gather them out of Assyria , and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon , and place shall not be found for them .
11 And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the scepter of Egypt shall depart away.
12 And I will strengthen them in the LORD , and they shall walk up and down in his name , saith the LORD.
CHAP. XI.
1 OPen thy doors, O Lebanon , that the fire may devour thy cedars .
2 Howl fir-tree for the cedar is fallen ; because the mighty are spoiled : howl, O ye oaks of Bashan , for the forest of the vintage is come down .
3 There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds , for their glory is spoiled : a voice of the roaring of young lions ; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled .
4 Thus saith the LORD my God , Feed the flock of the slaughter .
5 Whose possessors slay them , and hold themselves not guilty : and they that sell them , say, Blessed be the LORD, for I am rich : and their own shepherds pity them not .
6 For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD: but lo, I will deliver the men everyone into his neighbors hand , and into the hand of his king , and they shall smite the land , and out of their hand I will not deliver them .
7 And I will feed the • lock of slaughter , even you, O poor of the flock : And I took unto me two staves ; the one I called Beauty , and the other I called Bands , and I fed the flock .
8 Three shepherds also I cut off in one month , and my soul lothed them and their soul also abhorred me n.
9 Then said I, I will not feed you : that that dieth, let it die : and that that is to be cut off, let it be cut off : and let the rest eat, everyone the flesh of another .
10 And I took my staff, even Beauty and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people .
11 And it was broken in that day : and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me , knew that it was the word of the LORD .
12 And I said unto them , If ye think good , give me my price , and if not, forbear, So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver .
13 And the LORD said unto me , Cast it unto the potter : a goodly price that I was prized at of them , And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD .
14 Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands , that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel .
15 And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd .
16 For lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off , neither shall seek the young one , nor heal that that is broken , nor feed that that standeth still : but he shall eat the flesh of the fat , and tear their claws in pieces .
17 Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock: the sword shall be upon his arm , and upon his right eye : his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened .
CHAP. XII.
1 THE burden of the word of the LORD for Israel saith the LORD , which stretcheth forth the heavens , and layeth the foundation of the earth , and formeth the spirit of man within him.
2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about , when they shall be in the siege both against Judah , and against Jerusalem .
3 And • n that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces , though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.
4 In that day saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment , and his rider with madness , and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah , and I will smite every horse of the people with blindness .
5 And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart , The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the LORD of hosts their God .
6 In that day will I make the governors of Judah like a hearth of fire among the wood , and like a torch of fire in a sheaf ; and they shall devour all the people round about on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place even in Jerusalem .
7 The LORD also shall save the tents of Judah first , that the glory of the house of David , and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah.
8 In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem , and he that is feeble among them, at that day shall be as David , and the house of David shall be as God , as the angel of the LORD before them .
9 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all nations that come against Jerusalem .
10 And I will pour upon the house of David and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem , the spirit of grace , and of supplications , and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced , and they shall mourn for him , as one mourneth for his only son , and shall be in bitterness for him , as one that is in bitterness for his first-born .
11 In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.
12 And the land shall mourn, every family apart , the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart: the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart.
13 The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart: the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart.
14 All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart.
CHAP. XIII.
1 IN that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin, and for uncleanness .
2 And it shall come to pass in that day , saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land , and they shall no more be remembered : and also I will cause the prophets , and the unclean spirit i to pass out of the land .
3 And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy , then his father and his mother that begat him , shall say unto him , Thou shalt not live : for thou speakest lies in the Name of the LORD : and his father, and his mother that begat him, shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.
4 And it shall come to pass in that day that the prophets shall be ashamed everyone of his vision: when he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive .
5 But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am an husbandman: for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth.
6 And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer , Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends .
7 Awake , O sword , against my shepherd , and against the man that is my fellow , saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd , and the sheep shall be scattered and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones .
8 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land , saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off, and die, but the third shall be left therein .
9 And I will bring the third part through the fire , and will refine them as silver is refined , and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name , and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people; and they shall say, The LORD is my God.
CHAP. XIV.
1 BEhold , the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee .
2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle , and the city shall be taken , and the houses ri • led , and the women ravished , and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not • e cut off from the city .
3 Then shall the LORD go forth , and fight against those nations , as when he fought in the day of battle ?
4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives , which is before Jerusalem on the east , and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east, and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley ; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south .
5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains, for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
6 And it shall come to pass in that day , that the light shall not be clear , nor dark .
7 But it shall be one day which shall be known unto the LORD , not day nor night: but it shall come to pass that at evening time it shall be light .
8 And it shall be in that day , that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem : half of them toward the former sea , and half of them toward the hinder sea : in summer and in winter shall it be .
9 And the LORD shall be King over all the earth ; in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.
10 All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem , and it shall be lifted up , and inhabited in her place : from Benjamins gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the cornergate, and from the tower of Hananiel unto the Kings wine-presses.
11 And men shall dwell in it , and there shall be no more utter destruction , but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.
12 And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people, that have fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh shall consume away while they stand on their feet , and their eyes shall consume away in their holes , and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth .
13 And it shall come to pass in that day , that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them , and they shall lay hold everyone on the hand of his neighbor, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbor.
14 And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem , and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold and silver, and apparel in great abundance.
15 And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague.
16 And it shall come to pass, that everyone that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem, shall even go up from year to year to worship the King the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles .
17 And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem, to worship the King the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain .
18 And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain : there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
19 This shall be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all nations, that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
20 In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses , HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD'S house shall be like the bowls before the altar.
21 Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be Holiness unto the LORD of hosts : and all they that sacrifice , shall come and take of them , and seethe therein : and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts .
MALACHI.
COncerning this Prophet, some have thought, (but without good and sufficient ground) that he was an Angel in the form of a Man; others, think him to be Ezra ; but as 'tis the plainer, so the surer, Opinion that he was a Prophet of that Name, and a man distinct from Ezra, and sent the last of all the Prophets. His time of appearing among the Jews cannot be determined precisely, but 'tis best guessed, to have been about the times of Nehemiah 's Reforming the strange Marriages, Nehemiah 13.23, 28. with Malachi 2.11. and when he Reformed the Sacrilegious detainure of Tithes, Nehemiah 13.10, 11. with Malachi 3.8. as Doctor Lightfoot observeth. Now this Reformation of Nehemiah was about the Anno M. 3519 as Doctor Lightfoot, or 3545 as Helvicus, or 3589 as Arch-Bishop Usher 's Annals. Whatever was his time of appearing, 'tis certain he lived in a very vicious Age, in which both Priests, as well as People were leavened with either Perverse Thoughts of the Divine Providence, or Brutish Atheism denying the Deity and Providence, Contemptuous thoughts of the worship of God, Sacrilegious Practices robbing God of Tithes and Offerings, Shameless justifying these their practices, Boundless or Monstrous unfaithfulness to their Wives, casting off Jewish to marry Gentile Wives, or else superinducing the Gentile women, and enslaving the Jewish to them, Casting off the Law of God, or which is equally bad (if not worse) wresting it to their own sinful sentiments. All which he doth severely Reprove, and requires them to Reform, and foretells the day of the Messiah 's coming to sit as a refiner, and purifier; whose appearing, such sinners and sins would not be able to bear; and tells them of his forerunner, who in the Spirit, and power of Elias should come, and prepare a people for the Messiah : 'Till then, (as their Duty was) he commands them in the name, and by Authority from God, that they remember the Law of Moses, which God commanded in Horeb ; hereby intimating, some great change in the Law at the Coming of the Messiah : and intimating also, that they should expect no more Prophet till the Great Prophet himself should come unto them.
CHAP. I.
1 THE burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi .
2 I have loved you , saith the LORD : yet ye say , Wherein hast thou loved us ? was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob .
3 And I hated Esau , and laid his mountains and his heritage waste , for the dragons of the wilderness.
4 Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished , but we will return and build the desolate places : thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build but I will throw down , and they shall call them, The border of wickedness , and The people against whom the LORD hath indignation forever .
5 And your eyes shall see , and ye shall say , The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel .
6 A son honoreth his father, and a servant his master . If then I be a father , where is mine honor ? and if I be a master, where is my fear ? saith the LORD of hosts, unto you, O priests▪ that despise my name ? And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar ; And ye say , Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say , The table of the LORD is contemptible.
8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil ? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor : will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.
9 And now I pray you , beseech God that he will be gracious unto us : this hath been by your means : will he regard your persons? saith the LORD of hosts?
10 Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for naught ? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for naught; I have no pleasure in you , saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand .
11 For from the rising of the sun, even to the going down of the same, my Name shall be great among the Gentiles, and in every place incense shall be offered unto my Name, and a pure offering : for my Name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.
12 But ye have profaned it, in that ye say , The table of the LORD is polluted , and the fruit thereof, even his meat is contemptible .
13 Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it ? and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts, and ye brought that which was torn , and the lame, and the sick: thus ye brought an offering : should I accept this of your hands? saith the LORD .
14 But cursed be the deceiver , which hath in his flock a male , and voweth , and sacrificeth unto the LORD a corrupt thing : for I am a great king , saith the LORD of hosts, and my Name is dreadful among the heathen .
CHAP. II.
1 AND now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you .
2 If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart , to give glory unto my Name , saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you , and I will curse your blessings : yea, I have cursed them already , because ye do not lay it to heart .
3 Behold , I will corrupt your seed , and spread dung upon your faces , even the dung of your solemn feasts , and one shall take you away with it .
4 And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that may covenant might be with Levi , saith the LORD of hosts .
5 My covenant was with him of life and peace , and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my Name .
6 The law of truth was in his mouth , and iniquity was not found in his lips , he walked with me in peace and equity , and did turn many away from iniquity.
7 For the priests lips should keep knowledge , and they should seek the law at his mouth : for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.
8 But ye are departed out of the way , ye have caused many to stumble at the law : ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.
9 Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people , according as ye have not kept my ways , but have been partial in the law.
10 Have we not all one Father ? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother by profaning the covenant of our fathers?
11 Judah hath dealt treacherously , and an abomination is committed in Israel , and in Jerusalem : for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved , and hath married the daughter of a strange God .
12 The LORD will cut off the man that doth this : the master and the scholar out of the tabernacles of Jacob , and him that offereth an offering unto the LORD of hosts.
13 And this have ye done again , covering the altar of the LORD with tears , with weeping and with crying out , insomuch that he regardeth not the offering anymore , or receiveth it with good will at your hand .
14 Yet ye say, Wherefore ? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth , against whom thou hast dealt treacherously : yet is she thy companion , and the wife of thy covenant
15 And did he not make one ? yet had he the residue of the spirit : And wherefore one ? That he might seek a godly seed : Therefore take heed to your spirit , and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.
16 For the LORD the God of Israel saith that he hateth putting away : for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts, therefore take heed to your spirit , that ye deal not treacherously .
17 Ye have wearied the LORD with your words : Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him ? When ye say , Everyone that doth evil is good in the sight of the LORD , and he delighteth in them , or Where is the God of judgment .
CHAP. III.
1 BEhold I will send my messenger , and he shall prepare the way before me : and the Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his temple , even the messenger of the covenant whom ye delight in: behold , he shall come , saith the LORD of hosts .
2 But who may abide the day of his coming ? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiners fire , and like fullers sope .
3 And he shall sit as a refiner, and purifier of silver , and he shall purify the sons of Levi , and purge them as gold and silver , that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness .
4 Then shall the offerings of Judah, and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years .
5 And I will come near to you to judgment , and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers , and against the adulterers , and against false swearers , and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages , the widow and the fatherless , and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me , saith the LORD of hosts.
6 For I am the LORD, I change not , therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed .
7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances , and have not kept them : Return unto me g, and I will return unto you , saith the LORD of hosts: But ye said, Wherein shall we return ?
8 Will a man rob God ? yet ye have robbed me : but ye say, Wherein have we rob bed thee ? In tithes and offerings .
9 Ye are cursed with a curse : for ye have robbed me , even this whole nation .
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse , that there may be meat in mine house , and prove me now herewith , saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven , and pour you out a blessing , that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes , and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground : neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field , saith the LORD of hosts.
12 And all nations shall call you blessed : for ye shall be a delightsome land , saith the LORD of hosts ,
13 Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD: yet ye say , What have we spoken so much against thee?
14 Ye have said , It is vain to serve God : and what profit is it, that we have kept his ordinances , and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?
15 And now we call the proud happy : yea, they that work wickedness are set up ; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered .
16 Then they that feared the LORD , spake often one to another , and the LORD hearkened , and heard it , and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD , and that thought upon his name .
17 And they shall be mine , saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels ; and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him .
18 Then shall ye return f, and discern between the righteous and the wicked: between him that serveth GOD, and him that serveth him not.
CHAP. IV.
1 FOR behold , the day cometh that shall burn as an oven , and all the proud , yea, and all that do wickedly shall be stubble , and the day that cometh shall burn them up , saith the LORD of hosts , that it shall leave them neither root nor branch .
2 But unto you that fear my name , shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings , and ye shall go forth , and grow up as calves of the stall .
3 And ye shall tread down the wicked : for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet , in the day that I shall do this , saith the LORD of hosts.
4 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant , which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel , with the statutes and judgments .
5 Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet , before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD .
6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers unto the children , and the heart of the children to their fathers , lest I come and smite the earth with a curse .
CHAP. I.
1 THE burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi .
2 I have loved you , saith the LORD : yet ye say , Wherein hast thou loved us ? was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob .
3 And I hated Esau , and laid his mountains and his heritage waste , for the dragons of the wilderness.
4 Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished , but we will return and build the desolate places : thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build but I will throw down , and they shall call them, The border of wickedness , and The people against whom the LORD hath indignation forever .
5 And your eyes shall see , and ye shall say , The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel .
6 A son honoreth his father, and a servant his master . If then I be a father , where is mine honor ? and if I be a master, where is my fear ? saith the LORD of hosts, unto you, O priests▪ that despise my name ? And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar ; And ye say , Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say , The table of the LORD is contemptible.
8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil ? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor : will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.
9 And now I pray you , beseech God that he will be gracious unto us : this hath been by your means : will he regard your persons? saith the LORD of hosts?
10 Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for naught ? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for naught; I have no pleasure in you , saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand .
11 For from the rising of the sun, even to the going down of the same, my Name shall be great among the Gentiles, and in every place incense shall be offered unto my Name, and a pure offering : for my Name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.
12 But ye have profaned it, in that ye say , The table of the LORD is polluted , and the fruit thereof, even his meat is contemptible .
13 Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it ? and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts, and ye brought that which was torn , and the lame, and the sick: thus ye brought an offering : should I accept this of your hands? saith the LORD .
14 But cursed be the deceiver , which hath in his flock a male , and voweth , and sacrificeth unto the LORD a corrupt thing : for I am a great king , saith the LORD of hosts, and my Name is dreadful among the heathen .
CHAP. II.
1 AND now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you .
2 If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart , to give glory unto my Name , saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you , and I will curse your blessings : yea, I have cursed them already , because ye do not lay it to heart .
3 Behold , I will corrupt your seed , and spread dung upon your faces , even the dung of your solemn feasts , and one shall take you away with it .
4 And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that may covenant might be with Levi , saith the LORD of hosts .
5 My covenant was with him of life and peace , and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my Name .
6 The law of truth was in his mouth , and iniquity was not found in his lips , he walked with me in peace and equity , and did turn many away from iniquity.
7 For the priests lips should keep knowledge , and they should seek the law at his mouth : for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.
8 But ye are departed out of the way , ye have caused many to stumble at the law : ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.
9 Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people , according as ye have not kept my ways , but have been partial in the law.
10 Have we not all one Father ? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother by profaning the covenant of our fathers?
11 Judah hath dealt treacherously , and an abomination is committed in Israel , and in Jerusalem : for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved , and hath married the daughter of a strange God .
12 The LORD will cut off the man that doth this : the master and the scholar out of the tabernacles of Jacob , and him that offereth an offering unto the LORD of hosts.
13 And this have ye done again , covering the altar of the LORD with tears , with weeping and with crying out , insomuch that he regardeth not the offering anymore , or receiveth it with good will at your hand .
14 Yet ye say, Wherefore ? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth , against whom thou hast dealt treacherously : yet is she thy companion , and the wife of thy covenant
15 And did he not make one ? yet had he the residue of the spirit : And wherefore one ? That he might seek a godly seed : Therefore take heed to your spirit , and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.
16 For the LORD the God of Israel saith that he hateth putting away : for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts, therefore take heed to your spirit , that ye deal not treacherously .
17 Ye have wearied the LORD with your words : Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him ? When ye say , Everyone that doth evil is good in the sight of the LORD , and he delighteth in them , or Where is the God of judgment .
CHAP. III.
1 BEhold I will send my messenger , and he shall prepare the way before me : and the Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his temple , even the messenger of the covenant whom ye delight in: behold , he shall come , saith the LORD of hosts .
2 But who may abide the day of his coming ? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiners fire , and like fullers sope .
3 And he shall sit as a refiner, and purifier of silver , and he shall purify the sons of Levi , and purge them as gold and silver , that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness .
4 Then shall the offerings of Judah, and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years .
5 And I will come near to you to judgment , and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers , and against the adulterers , and against false swearers , and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages , the widow and the fatherless , and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me , saith the LORD of hosts.
6 For I am the LORD, I change not , therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed .
7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances , and have not kept them : Return unto me g, and I will return unto you , saith the LORD of hosts: But ye said, Wherein shall we return ?
8 Will a man rob God ? yet ye have robbed me : but ye say, Wherein have we rob bed thee ? In tithes and offerings .
9 Ye are cursed with a curse : for ye have robbed me , even this whole nation .
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse , that there may be meat in mine house , and prove me now herewith , saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven , and pour you out a blessing , that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes , and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground : neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field , saith the LORD of hosts.
12 And all nations shall call you blessed : for ye shall be a delightsome land , saith the LORD of hosts ,
13 Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD: yet ye say , What have we spoken so much against thee?
14 Ye have said , It is vain to serve God : and what profit is it, that we have kept his ordinances , and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?
15 And now we call the proud happy : yea, they that work wickedness are set up ; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered .
16 Then they that feared the LORD , spake often one to another , and the LORD hearkened , and heard it , and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD , and that thought upon his name .
17 And they shall be mine , saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels ; and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him .
18 Then shall ye return f, and discern between the righteous and the wicked: between him that serveth GOD, and him that serveth him not.
CHAP. IV.
1 FOR behold , the day cometh that shall burn as an oven , and all the proud , yea, and all that do wickedly shall be stubble , and the day that cometh shall burn them up , saith the LORD of hosts , that it shall leave them neither root nor branch .
2 But unto you that fear my name , shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings , and ye shall go forth , and grow up as calves of the stall .
3 And ye shall tread down the wicked : for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet , in the day that I shall do this , saith the LORD of hosts.
4 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant , which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel , with the statutes and judgments .
5 Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet , before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD .
6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers unto the children , and the heart of the children to their fathers , lest I come and smite the earth with a curse .
ANNOTATIONS On the GOSPEL according to S t. MATTHEW.
THe whole Revelation of the Will of God to the Children of Men, is usually called The Bible, that is, The Book (for the word Bible derives from the Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ) with a note of Eminency, being indeed the Book of Books, so as Luther said well that he should wish all his Books burned if he could know, that men by them would be kept, from reading the Scriptures. And to distinguish this from other Books, we have (in the ordinary Titles of our Bibles, added Holy, with respect to the Authority, the Matter and end of it. This sacred Book with us Christians, is usually divided into the Old and New Testament, indeed the term Testament, doth not so properly belong to the Law and the Prophets, as to the Books of the Evangelists, the Acts and Epistles, &c. The Title of New Testament in Greek is, THΣ KAINHΣ ΔIAΘHKHΣ AΠANTA. That is the whole of the New Disposition or New Law, or New Covenant, or New Testament. The word, Originally, and Primarily signifieth a Disposition of things : In regard, that amongst men, Things are ordered, or disposed, by a Law, or by Contract, or Covenant, or by Will and Testament, the word hath been used to signify any of these. But in regard, that until a Testator be dead, a Testament is of no force, Christ having not come •• or died, before all the Law and the Prophets were Finished (I mean the Writings containing the Law, and what other Holy Men wrote by Inspiration from God, which the Jews call the Prophets, or the Holy Writings) it is not so proper (but that use hath now obtained) to call those Writings by the name of a Testament. Especially considering, that as part of them (which contained the Ceremonial Law) was abolished by the Testator's Death, and another great part of them, fulfilled, in his Coming and Dying. The name therefore of Testament, doth most properly belong, to the Books of the Evangelists, the Acts, and Epistles, which do not only contain the New Law, (so far as it is new, either in respect of the full Interpretation of the Moral Law, or in respect of the Law concerning the Worship of God under the Gospel, and the Government of the Church ) but also the New Covenant which though made with Adam, first revealed to him. Gen. 3.15. yet is more fully Revealed in those Books, and they are indeed the last Will and Testament, of our blessed Lord and Savior. These Books do obviously divide themselves, into the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, The Epistles of the Apostles, and the Revelations. The Evangelists, or Gospels are four: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, whose Books are called the Gospels, that is, Books containing The good Tidings (for so the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifies) which was brought to all People ; by the Coming, Life and Death of Christ, the History of which, as also his Resurrection, and Ascension into Heaven, they relate. So as they are not called Evangelists, as the term signifieth, such an extraordinary Officer (as is mentioned, Eph. 4.11. such a one as Phillip was, Acts 21.8. & Timothy, 2 Tim. 4.5. But as they were Evangelical Historiographers, writing the History, as well as publishing the Mystery of the Gospel, of these, Matthew and John were Apostles, the other two only Disciples to the Apostles. In the account they give us of Christ, what he did, and what he said, we are not to expect either a full account of all he did or spake (we are assured of the contrary, John 21.25. ) Nor yet an exact account of every Speech in any one Sermon, or all the Circumstances of any of his Actions: We must conceive of them, not as exact Notaries, but such who wrote from their Memories (not without the Inspiration of the Holy Spirit) Hence it is manifest, that altho they do not Contradict one another (that indeed were incompetent with the Spirit of Truth, their common Guide) yet one Evangelist hath, what another hath not, and in the same piece of his History, one hath more Circumstances than another: And hardly any of them relates all things in the same Order of time, in which they were Spoke or Done, but set them down, as their Memory did serve them, keeping to the Substance, and being less careful as to Circumstances : So as where more Evangelists relate the same History, or Sermon, what all say must be taken in to Compleat the History, or Discourse, so far as the Holy Spirit thought fit Christians should be acquainted with it; which is the Method I have taken in my Notes upon the Gospel according to St. Matthew. Matthew was the' Son of Alpheus, Mar. 2.14. called also Levi, his Employment he was a Publican, that is one who gathered Custom for the Romans (which sort of People were generally hated, and perhaps none of the honestest Men) Christ called him from the receipt of Custom to be his Disciple, Mat. 9.9.10. Mar. 2.14.15. He was sent out as one of the Twelve Apostles, Mat. 10.3. So as he was both an Eye and Ear-witness of what he wrote, what became of him after Christ's Ascension I cannot tell, not knowing what Credit is to be given to what Ecclesiastical Historians say in the Case, who wrote three or four hundred years after. The term of his writing this Gospel is a • incertain, some eight, some nine, some fifteen years after Christ's Ascension. It hath been a Question also, whether he wrote in Hebrew or Greek : It is most probable that he (as the other Evangelists ) wrote it in Greek, though it hath been once or twice translated into Hebrew. Those who as to that Question have a Curiosity to know what is written, on both sides, (not to mention other Books) may read enough in Mr. Pools Prolegomena, to this Gospel in his Synopsis Criticorum. The matter of his Gospel is principally the History of the Birth, Life, Death, and Resurrection of our Savior : The passages after his Resurrection, and before his Ascension are most fully related by St. John, Luke more fully relates the History of his Birth and what went before it. The History of the wise Men coming from the East to inquire for Christ is related by Matthew alone, so are some Parables, as that of the Virgins Ch. 25. &c.
CHAP. I.
1. THe Book of the Generation of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham.
2. Abraham begat Isaac, and Isaac begat Jacob, and Jacob begat Judas and his Brethren.
3. And Judas begat Phares and Sarah of Tamar and Phares begat Esrom, and Esrom begat Aram.
4. And Aram begat Aminadab, and Aminadab begat Naasson, and Naasson begat Salmon.
5. And Salmon begat Boaz of Rachab, and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth, and Obed begat Jesse.
6. And Jesse begat David the King—▪
6 And David the King begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Uriah.
7 And Solomon begat Roboam, and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa.
8 And Asa begat Josaphat, and Josaphat begat Joram, and Joram begat Ozias.
9 And Ozias begat of Joatham, and Joatham begat Achaz, and Achaz begat Hezekiah.
10 And Hezekiah begat Manasseh, and Manasseh begat Amon, and Amon begat Josiah.
11 And Josiah begat Jeconias and his Brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon.
12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconia begat Salathiel, and Salathiel begat Zerubbabel.
13 And Zerubbabel begat Abiud, and Abiud begat Eliakim, and Eliakim begat Azor.
14 And Azor begat Sadoc, and Sadoc begat Achim, and Achim begat Eliud.
15 And Eliud begat Eleazar, and Eleazar begat Matthan, and Matthan begat Jacob.
16 And Jacob begat Joseph the Husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.
17 So all the Generations from Abraham to David are fourteen Generations; And from David to the carrying away into Babylon, are fourteen Generations, and from the carrying away into Babylon, unto Christ are fourteen Generations.
18 Now the Birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise, when as his mother Mary was espoused, to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her Husband being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the Angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his People from their sins.
22. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken of the Lord by the Prophet saying.
23 Behold a Virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call his name Immanuel, which being interpreted, is God with us.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep, did as the Angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife.
25 And knew her not, until she had brought forth her first born Son. And he called his name Jesus.
CHAP. II.
1. NOw when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the King, behold there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem.
2 Saying, where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his Star in the East, and are come to worship him.
3 When Herod the King heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief Priests and Scribes of the people together, he demanded of them, where Christ should be born.
5 And they said unto him in Bethlehem of Judea for thus it is written by the Prophet.
6 And thou Bethlehem in the land of Judah, art not the least amongst the Princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come a Governor that shall rule my people Israel.
7 Then Herod when he had privily called the wise men inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go, and search diligently for the young child, and and when you have found him bring me word again that I may come and worship him also.
9 And when they had heard the King they departed, and lo the Star which they saw in the East, went before them, till it came, and stood over where the young child was.
10 And when they saw the Star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 When they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his Mother, and fell down and worshipped him; and when they had opened their Treasures, they presented unto him Gifts, Gold, and Frankincense and Myrrh.
12 And being, warned of God in a dream, that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own Country another way.
13 And when they were departed, Behold the Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child, and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there, until I bring thee word, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy it.
14 When he arose, he took the young child, and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt.
15 And was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken of the Lord, by the Prophet. Out of Egypt have I called my Son.
16 Then Herod when he saw he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth and sent forth, and slew all the Children which were in Bethlehem, and in all the Coasts thereof from two years old and under▪ according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.
17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the Prophet saying.
18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an Angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt;
20 Saying arise, and take the young child, and his mother and go into the land of Israel, for they are dead who sought the young child's life.
21 And he arose, and took the young child, and his mother, and came into the Land of Israel.
22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: Notwithstanding being warnned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee.
23 And he came and dwelt in a City called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophets, he shall be called a Nazarene.
CHAP. III.
1 IN those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
2 And saying; Repent ye, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.
3 For this is he that was spoken of by the Prophet Isaiah, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4 And the same John had his raiment of Camels hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins, and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the Region round about Jordan.
6 And were Baptized of him in Jordan confessing their Sins.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees, and Sadducees come to his Baptism, he said unto them, O Generation of Vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come.
8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.
9 And think not to say within yourselves, we have Abraham to our Father: For I say unto you that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
10 And now also the Ax is laid to the root of the trees, therefore, every tree which, bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
11 I indeed Baptize you with water unto Repentance, but he that cometh after me, is mightier then I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear, he shall baptize you with the holy ghost, and with fire.
12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into his garner: but will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John to be baptized of him.
14 But John forbad him saying, I have need to be baptized of thee and comest thou to me?
15. And Jesus answering said unto him, suffer it to be so now; for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
16 And Jesus, when he was Baptized, went up straight way out of the water, and lo the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a Dove, and lighting upon him.
17 And lo a voice from heaven saying, This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.
CHAP. IV.
1. THen was Jesus led up of the Spirit, into the wilderness to be tempted of the Devil.
2 And when he had fasted forty days, and forty nights, he was afterwards an hungered.
3 And when the Tempter came unto him he said, If thou be the Son of God command that these stones be made Bread.
4 But he answered, and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
5 Then the Devil taketh him up into the holy City, and setteth him on a Pinacle of the Temple.
6 And saith unto him, if thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written, He shall give his Angels charge concerning thee, and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
7 Jesus saith unto him: It is written again, thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
8 Again, the Devil taketh him up into an exceeding high Mountain, and showeth him all the Kingdoms of the world, and the Glory of them.
9 And saith unto him, all these things will▪ give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence Satan, for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
11 Then the Devil leaveth him, and behold Angels came and ministered unto him.
12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into Prison, he departed into Galilee.
13 And leaving Nazareth he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the Sea-coast, in the Borders of Zebulon and Nepthalim.
15 That it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the Prophet Isaiah, saying,
15 The land of Zebulon, and the land of Nepthalim, by the way of the Sea beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles.
16 The People which sat in darkness, saw great light, and to them which sat in the Region, and shadow of death, light is sprang up.
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the Kingdom of heaven is at ha • d.
18 And Jesus walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his Brother, casting a net into the Sea for they were Fishers
19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you Fishers of men.
20 And they straightway left their Nets, and followed him.
21 And going on from thence, he saw other two Brethren, James the Son of Zebedee, and John his Brother in a ship with Zebedee their Father, mending their Nets, and he called them.
22 And they immediately left the ship, and their Father, and followed him.
23 And Jesus went about all Galilee teaching in their Synagogues, and Preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the People.
24 And his fame went throughout all Syria, and they brought unto▪ him all sick people, that were taken with divers diseases, and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which 〈◊〉 lunatic, and those which had the palsy and he healed them.
25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond Jordan.
CHAP. V.
1 ANd seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain, and when he was set, his disciples came unto him.
2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying.
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger, and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute ye, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
13 Ye are the salt of the earth, But if the salt hath lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thence forth good for nothing but to be cast out, and to be trodden underfoot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world, A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets, I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, till Heaven and Earth pass, one jot, or one title shall in no wise pass from the Law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever thereof ore shall break one of these least Commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whosoever shall do, and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
20 For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees ye shall in no case enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, thou shalt not kill, and whosoever shall kill, shall be in danger of the Judgment.
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his Brother without a cause, shall be in danger of the Judgment, and whosoever shall say unto his Brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the Council, but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
23 Therefore if thou bring thy Gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy Brother hath ought against thee.
24 Leave there thy Gift before the altar, and go thy way, first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy Gift.
25 Agree with thine Adversary quickly, whilst thou art in the way with him, lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, until thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
27 Ye have heard, that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery.
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh upon a woman to lust after her, hath committed adultery with her already in his Heart.
29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee, for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30 And if thy right Hand offend thee, cut it off and cast it from thee, for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
31 It hath been said, whosoever shall put away his Wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement.
32 But I say unto you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication causeth her to commit adultery, and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced, committeth adultery.
33 Again, you have heard, that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shall not forswear thyself, but shall perform unto the Lord thy oaths.
34 But I say unto you, Swear not all, neither by Heaven for it is God's throne.
35 Nor by the earth, for it is his Foot-stool, neither by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
36 Neither shalt thou swear by thine head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.