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within you." And he said In the troubles, sudden and unto the disciples, The days violent, which are coming upon Jewill come, when ye shall de-rusalem, ye shall wish, but wish in vain, that I were again present with sire to see one of the days you."

of the 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 must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation. And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of 27 The Jews were engaged in their man. "They did eat, they usual concerns, when the Roman drank, they married wives, legions burst into their city, and with they were given in marriage, fire and sword, like a mighty tem until the day that Noe entered pest, laid its glory in the dust. into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; bu the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and

30 Even

destroyed them all.
thus shall it be in the day

30" Thus it shall be, when the day of destruction foretold by me, sha have its accomplishment.”

back.

Remember Lot's wife.

when the Son of man is revealed. In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field. let him likewise not return 33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life

33 Whoso prefers his religion to his life, shall be recompensed with life eternal.

35 These circumstances indicated their unpreparedness; and the suddenness of the calamity. Reader! Death may be sudden to The Watch, and be ready!

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 shall be left. 35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.

37 As the eagles gather together, where the prey is; so will the Roman armies, whose ensign is an eagle, make a prey of the devoted Jerusalem.

This incidental mention of the fact, is a beautiful internal evidence to the truth of the whole history of which it forms a part.

CHAPTER XVIII.

MARCH 7, JULY 6, Nov. 2.

AND he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man and there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when find faith on the earth? And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in them

1 The heart should always be ready to pray; and should pray perseveringly-not in a fainting or doubting spirit.

7

7 If importunity prevail with man, much more shall perseverance prevail with God; for Jesus' sake.

8 However the Gospel may prosper, wickedness will continually strive

against it.

the Son of man cometh, shall he

Self-righteousness, and a vain
pretence to superior sanctity, profit
not. Many a lowly spirit, despised
by the Pharisee, is blessed of God.

selves that they were righ-
teous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple
to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The
Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank
thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust,
adulterers,
or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week,
I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing
afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven,
but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a
sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified
rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself
shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch
them but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But
Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to
come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the king-
dom of God. 17
Verily I say 17 It is the part of wisdom to receive
unto you, Whosoever shall the Gospel-teachably, gratefully,
not receive the kingdom of obediently *.

:

* As dutiful children receive the commands of their parents, without

"

18

18 Our Lord argues reprovinglygood, why not believe me to be, as I "If you really believe me to be thus claim to be, God as well as man! for none is absolutely good, except God."

God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. 22 Now when Jesus heard 22 Let each man put a stricter these things, he said unto guard against the sin which doth him, Yet lackest thou one most easily beset him. thing: sell all that thou hast and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, that have riches enter into the

25 This is a proverb used to express great difficulty.

And they

And he said,

he said, How hardly shall they kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. that heard it said, Who then can be saved? The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting. Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. 32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: and they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken. And it

32 He is thus minute for two reasons. He prevented surprise when the events occurred; and their exact fulfilment, according to his word, would confirm the faith of his disciples.

questioning their authority; even when they may, perhaps, not understand their reasonableness—so let us obey God.

came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: and hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth pass

38 He thus acknowledges Jesus to eth by. 38 And he cried, saybe the long-promised Messiah. ing, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath

41

And

In

41 A noble instance of faith well rewarded! It is recorded for our example and encouragement. our darkest sorrows, He, the Sun of righteousness, is at hand, both to guide and to cheer us by his light.

saved thee. And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.

2

CHAPTER XIX.

MARCH 8, JULY 7, Nov. 3.

2 Zaccheus was despised by his countrymen, because, being a Jew, he was the chief collector of the public taxes for the Romans.

AND Jesus entered and passed
through Jericho. And, be-
hold, there was a man named
Zacchaeus, which was the
chief among the publicans, and he was rich.

And he sought

to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchæus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchæus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save

5 Jesus is ever ready to abide with us also. O that we too may receive Him joyfully!

that which was lost. And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He 12 Jesus went to heaven, to receive said therefore, A certain the kingdom He had gained by subnobleman went into a far duing Satan.

12

country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

13 And he called his ten ser

vants, and delivered them

13 He delivered to them his Gospel

ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to

15 When He returns at the day of judgment, He will recompense a who have been diligent according to their ability. Each who has done his utmost, will receive proportionate

recompence.

reign over us. 15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. And another came, saying Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin for I feared thee, because thou art an austere man thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. 22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow wherefore then gavest not thou my money int the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds. For I say unto you, That 26 As careful men add riches to unto every one which hath riches, whilst the idle lose what once shall be given; and from him they possessed, so the faithful conthat hath not, even that he tinually add grace to grace.

26

22 The idle and the unprofitable He will punish. They will be without excuse; for God revealed Himself as a strictly just and most righteous Judge and they knew Him to be so

hath shall be taken away from him. But those mine enemies,

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