into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

And now is light come into the world, but men love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil; for every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, and it is made manifest that his deeds are wrought in God.

Jesus was baptized by John; and after he had spent forty days in both fasting and praying, he came forth as a teacher and healer of men: and there were brought unto him many which were taken with divers diseases and torments; and those which were possessed with devils; and those that had the palsy; and he healed them, every one. And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond Jordan.

Now Jesus, when he went on his last trip up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples apart in the way and said unto them, Behold we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the scribes and they shall condemn him to death. And he straightly charged them and commanded them to tell no man that thing, saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.

And Jesus spake further unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent me, the same is true.

And Jesus continued teaching and doing good until he was crucified and was taken up, after he had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen. To these apostles and to others he showed himself alive after his passion, by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God; and then, while they beheld, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight.

And Peter preached the gospel of Christ, saying, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost: for the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

And there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem, and they were scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria. And Saul, breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this belief, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

And Saul, as he journeyed, came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest; and he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

And the men which journeyed with Saul stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the

earth; and they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus; and he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him, said the Lord in a vision, Ananias; and he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him,

Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house, and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales; and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized; and when he had received meat, he was strengthened.

Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus, and straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto

the chief priests? But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that Jesus was verily the Christ.

After that, the Jews took counsel to kill Saul: but their laying await was known of him; and they watched the gates day and night to kill thm. Then the disciples took Saul by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. And when he was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

And Saul, who is also called Paul, was with them coming in and going out of Jerusalem, and he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians. But his enemies continually went about to slay him, which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

But after a time the churches* had rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own: but they had all things common.

And as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles' feet; and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.

*Note I

A STORY OF JESUS

THE CHRIST

BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF JESUS

All the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

And it came to pass, forty-two generations* after the time of Abraham, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, to be taxed. And there accompanied him Mary his wife, being great with child.

The angel of the Lord said unto Mary, Thou art highly favoured: the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Behold, thou shalt bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David. He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

And it was while they were at Bethlehem, that Mary brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in

*Note 2

15