XXVI. Precepts

The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth (the Jefferson Bible), by Thomas Jefferson, [1902], at sacred-texts.com

XXVI.

Precepts.

AFTER these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for  he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.

2 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

3 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

4 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

5 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things

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there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups and pots, brazen vessels, and of tables.

6 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

7 ¶ And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:

8 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

9 If any man have ears to hear let him hear.

10 And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.

11 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;

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12 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?

13 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.

14 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

15 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

10 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

17 ¶ And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid.

18 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

19 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

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20 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

21 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

22 ¶ Woe unto the. world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

23 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.

24 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

25 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, Both he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?

26 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

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27 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

28 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

29 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

30 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

31 ¶ Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

32 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.