CONDEMN NOT GOD IN HIS HOUSE
Chapter Twenty-Four
And it came to pass, on the second Sabbath after
that day, that He went through a cornfield and the disciples,
having had no bread, picked the corn and did eat, for they were
hungry. And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, "Why do
you do that which is not lawful to do on the Sabbath Day?"
2 Jesus answered them, saying, "Have you not read what it
was that David did when he and his soldiers were hungry in the
Service Of God? He went up into the Temple into the very House Of
God, and took the shew bread and ate of it, and gave unto them
with Him, that they might serve God."
3 This, too, was unlawful, but did your Fathers condemn David? I
say unto you, let the Son Of Man also do what He will, for The
Sabbath is His.
4 Oh, how foolish are some of you, that if a man was to enter
your house on the Sabbath to slay you, you would not defend
yourself, for it is The Sabbath and you would be slain.
5 Worse yet, if a man was to enter into your house on the Sabbath
to do his will with your daughter, you would hinder him not
because it is The Sabbath. And you would allow your daughter to
be shamed before men.
6 I say unto you in this hour, that any man that does such things
is not acceptable to God, and will not enter into Paradise. For
he loves the traditions of man more than he loves those precious
Gifts that God has given him. And if he does not respect what God
has given him, why should God respect him?"
7 When some of The Pharisees heard this they were troubled, and
became believers. But others hated Jesus even more.
8 It came to pass also, on another Sabbath, that He entered into
the synagogue and taught.
9 And there was a man there with a withered hand. The Scribes and
The Pharisees watched, hoping He would heal him on the Sabbath.
But Jesus knew their cunning and had the man come and stand
before them, then said to them, "I ask you one thing. Is it
unlawful on The Sabbath Day to do good, or to do evil, to save a
life, or destroy it?"
10 The Scribes and Pharisees knew they were trapped. That His
mind was quicker than theirs. Then Jesus told the man, "Stretch
forth your hand." And Jesus made it whole.
11 He turned to the Scribes and Pharisees with great wrath and
rebuked them bitterly, saying, "You men of little minds! Let
God do what He will in His House, and, on His Own Day. Put not
your desires and your wishes into the mouth of God."
12 One of the Pharisees rose up angrily, crying "You are not
of God! If you were of God you would not break His Commandments.
You do not belong in The House Of God."
13 "It is you who do not belong in the House Of God!"
cried Jesus. "Go forth from it and die, for you have rebuked
God in his Own House!"
14 Angrily the Pharisee stomped from the synagogue. He had taken
but seven steps from the sacred ground when he looked to Heaven,
gave a loud cry, and his Spirit left him.
15 Those with him trembled in fear, and several returned to Jesus,
saying, "Surely He is The Lord!"
16 But still some, not believing what they had seen, plotted
against Jesus for to take His life.
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
Chapter Twenty-Five
Now, in this time, Jesus went up into the
mountains all night to be in prayer. When it was day He called to
Him his disciples and of them He chose twelve who He began to
call Apostles.
2 Simon, who was called Peter, and Andrew, his brother.
3 James and John.
4 Philip and Bartholomew.
5 Matthew and Thomas.
6 James, the son of Alphacus, who the apostles called Little, for
he was smaller than the other James.
7 Simon, who was called Zelotes.
8 Judas, the brothers of James.
9 And Judas Iscariot who the apostles called The Tailor, for that
was his profession.
10 He came down with them and stood on the plains in the company
of His disciples and a great multitude of people out of all the
lands there about who had come to hear Him.
11 He healed many diseases and cast out unclean spirits.
12 When they came to a special place where He could stand above
all Jesus stood upon a great rock, and His apostles spread out
among the crowd.
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