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LUKE XIII.

from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of 80 God. And behold, there are last, which shall be first; and there are first, which shall be last.

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The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get 32 thee out, and depart hence; for Herod will kill thee. And he said unto them, Go ye and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures 89 to-day and to-morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. Nevertheless, I must walk to-day and to-morrow, and the day following: for it 84 cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate a And verily, I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

§ 96. Our Lord dines with a chief Pharisee on the Sabbath. Incidents.

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PEREA.

LUKE XIV. 1-24.

And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath-day, that they watched him. And behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy. And Jesus answering, spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath-day? And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go: and answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway 6 pull him out on the sabbath-day? And they could not answer him again to these things.

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7 And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room, lest a 9 more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; ' and he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with 10 shame to take the lowest room. But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the 11 presence of them that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

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Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be 13 made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the 14 lame, the blind; and thou shalt be blessed for they cannot recompense thee for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. 16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade 17 many and sent his servant at supper-time, to say to them that were bidden, Come, for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent

a 35. Comp. Ps. 69, 25. Jer. 12, 7. 22, 5

8. Comp. Prov. 25, 6

LUKE XIV.

began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: 20 I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife: 81 and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry, said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in 22 hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and 24 hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, that none of those men which were bidden, shall taste of my supper.

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§ 97. What is required of true Disciples.-PErea.

LUKE XIV. 25-35.

And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto 26 them, ' If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wire, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come 28 after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have suffi29 cient to finish it? Lest haply after he hath laid the foundation, and is not 80 able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, This man 1 began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty 82 thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an $3 ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he

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be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Salt is good but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be 35 seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

§ 93. Parable of the Lost Sheep, etc.

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Parable of the Prodigal Son.—Perea.

LUKE XV. 1-32.

Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. " And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

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And he spake this parable unto them, saying, ' What man of you hav ing an hundred sheep, if he lose one of thein, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he called together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons which need no repentance.

Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find

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LUKE XV.

Pit? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which 10 I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

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11 12 And he said, A certain man had two sons: ' and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. 13 And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, 14 and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent 16 him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat; and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my 18 father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,' and am no more worthy to be called thy 20 son make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and 21 had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, 22 and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his 23 hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; 24 and let us eat, and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; 25 he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard 26 music and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what 27 these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and 28 sound. And he was angry, and would not go in; therefore came his father 29 out, and entreated him. And he answering, said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment; and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry so with my friends: ' but as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me; and all that I have is thine 12 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and found.

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§ 99. Parable of the Unjust Steward.-PEREA.

LUKE XVI. 1-13.

And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship: for thou mayest be no 8 longer steward. Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. I am resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. So he called e 'ery one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much a west

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LUKE XVI.

And he

• thou unto my lord? And he said, An hundred measures of oil. 'said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write four score. And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

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And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammor of unrighteousness; that when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting 10 habitations. He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in " much; and he that is unjust in the least, is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will comunit 12 to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that 13 which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? No

servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

§ 100. The Pharisees reproved. Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.—

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PEREA.

LUKE XVI. 14-31.

And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things, and 15 they derided him. And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly 16 esteemed among men, is abomination in the sight of God. The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. And it is easier for heaven and 18 earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery; and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband, committeth adultery.

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There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine 20 linen, and fared sumptuously every day: ' and there was a certain beggar ♫ named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover, the 22 dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. The rich man also 23 died, and was buried: ' and in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, 24 and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried, and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue: for I am tormented 25 in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he 26 is comforted, and thou art tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you, cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldst send him to my father's house: for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. "And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

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§ 101. Jesus inculcates forbearance, faith, humility.—PEREA.

LUKE XVII. 1—10.

Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will 2 come: but wo unto him through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. Take heed to yourselves if

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thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard-seed, ye might say unto this sycamine-tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. But which of you having a servant ploughing, or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come out of the field, Go and sit down to meat? and will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I ⚫ have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant, because he did the things that were commanded him? 10 I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

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§ 102. Christ's coming will be sudden.—PEREA.

LUKE XVII. 20-37.

20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation. Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, Lo there! for 22 behold, the kingdom of God is within you. And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the 20 Son of man, and ye shall not see it. And they shall say to you, See here! or, See there! go not after them, nor follow them. For as the lightning that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. But first 26 must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation. And as it

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was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. "They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and 28 destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot: they did 29 eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from 30 heaven, and destroyed them all: even thus shall it be in the day when 31 the Son of man is revealed. In that day, he which shall be upon the house-top, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it 32 away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Re83 member Lot's wife.d Whosoever shall seek to save his life, shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life, shall preserve it. I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other

a 4. Comp. Lev. 19, 17. 18.
c 29. Gen 19, 15 sq.

b 27. Gen. 7, 4.7
d 32. Gen. 19, 26.

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