She will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus [He Saves], because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this happened so that what the Lord had spoken through the prophet came true:

“The virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.”

When King Herod and all Jerusalem heard about this, they became disturbed.

He called together all the chief priests and the experts in the Scriptures and tried to find out from them where the Messiah was supposed to be born.

When Herod saw that the wise men had tricked him, he became furious. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys two years old and younger in or near Bethlehem. This matched the exact time he had learned from the wise men.

Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole Jordan Valley went to him.

Once more the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms in the world and their glory.

The devil said to him, “I will give you all this if you will bow down and worship me.”

Spreading the Good News in Galilee

Jesus went all over Galilee. He taught in the synagogues and spread the Good News of the kingdom. He also cured every disease and sickness among the people.

The news about Jesus spread throughout Syria. People brought him everyone who was sick, those who suffered from any kind of disease or pain. They also brought epileptics, those who were paralyzed, and people possessed by demons, and he cured them all.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, lie, and say all kinds of evil things about you because of me.

“So if your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose a part of your body than to have all of it thrown into hell.

And if your right hand leads you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose a part of your body than to have all of it go into hell.

“It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a written notice.’

About Oaths

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, ‘Never break your oath, but give to the Lord what you swore in an oath to give him.’

But I tell you don’t swear an oath at all. Don’t swear an oath by heaven, which is God’s throne,

And don’t swear an oath by your head. After all, you cannot make one hair black or white.

Give to everyone who asks you for something. Don’t turn anyone away who wants to borrow something from you.

So when you give to the poor, don’t announce it with trumpet fanfare. This is what hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets in order to be praised by people. I can guarantee this truth: That will be their only reward.

When you give to the poor, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.

Give your contributions privately. Your Father sees what you do in private. He will reward you.

Give us our daily bread today.

Don’t allow us to be tempted. Instead, rescue us from the evil one.

But I say that not even Solomon in all his majesty was dressed like one of these flowers.