He said, “The young woman, who has never had a man, will give birth to a Son. They will give Him the name Immanuel. This means God with us.”

Then God spoke to them in a dream. He told them not to go back to Herod. So they went to their own country by another road.

Joseph heard that Archelaus was the king of the country of Judea. Herod, the father of Archelaus, had died. Joseph was afraid to go there. God told him in a dream to go to the country of Galilee and he went.

He saw many proud religious law-keepers and other people of the religious group who believe no one will be raised from the dead. They were coming to him to be baptized. He said to them, “You family of snakes! Who told you how to keep from God’s anger that is coming?

Do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God can make children for Abraham out of these stones.

Jesus said to him, “Let it be done now. We should do what is right.” John agreed and baptized Jesus.

When Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens opened. He saw the Spirit of God coming down and resting on Jesus like a dove.

The devil came tempting Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to be made into bread.”

But Jesus said, “It is written, ‘Man is not to live on bread only. Man is to live by every word that God speaks.’”

Then the devil took Jesus up to Jerusalem, the holy city. He had Jesus stand on the highest part of the house of God.

The devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. It is written, ‘He has told His angels to look after You. In their hands they will hold You up. Then Your foot will not hit against a stone.’”

Jesus said to the devil, “It is written also, ‘You must not tempt the Lord your God.’”

Jesus said to the devil, “Get away, Satan. It is written, ‘You must worship the Lord your God. You must obey Him only.’”

The news about Him went over all the country of Syria. They brought all the sick people to Him with many kinds of diseases and pains. They brought to Him those who had demons. They brought those who at times lose the use of their minds. They brought those who could not use their hands and legs. He healed them.

Those who are hungry and thirsty to be right with God are happy, because they will be filled.

Those who have a pure heart are happy, because they will see God.

Those who make peace are happy, because they will be called the sons of God.

Those who have it very hard for doing right are happy, because the holy nation of heaven is theirs.

I tell you, unless you are more right with God than the teachers of the Law and the proud religious law-keepers, you will never get into the holy nation of heaven.

leave your gift on the altar. Go and make right what is wrong between you and him. Then come back and give your gift.

Agree with the one who is against you while you are talking together, or he might take you to court. The court will hand you over to the police. You will be put in prison.

If your right eye is the reason you sin, take it out and throw it away. It is better to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

If your right hand is the reason you sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go to hell.

I tell you, do not use strong words when you make a promise. Do not promise by heaven. It is the place where God is.

But I tell you, do not fight with the man who wants to fight. Whoever hits you on the right side of the face, turn so he can hit the other side also.