Weymouth New Testament in Modern Speech: Matthew | Page 8

aloud, "What hast Thou to do with us, Thou Son of God? Hast Thou come here to torment us before the time?" 008:030 Now at some distance from them a vast herd of swine were feeding. 008:031 So the demons entreated Him. "If Thou drivest us out," they said, "send us into the herd of swine." 008:032 "Go," He replied. Then they came out from the men and went into the swine, whereupon the entire herd instantly rushed down the cliff into the Lake and perished in the water. 008:033 The swineherds fled, and went and told the whole story in the town, including what had happened to the demoniacs. 008:034 So at once the whole population came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw Him, they besought Him to leave their country. 009:001 Accordingly He went on board, and crossing over came to His own town. 009:002 Here they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith Jesus said to the paralytic, "Take courage, my child; your sins are pardoned." 009:003 "Such language is impious," said some of the Scribes among themselves. 009:004 Knowing their thoughts Jesus said, "Why are you cherishing evil thoughts in your hearts? 009:005 Why, which is easier?--to say, `Your sins are pardoned,' or to say `Rise up and walk'? 009:006 But, to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to pardon sins"--He then says to the paralytic, "Rise, and take up your bed and go home." 009:007 And he got up, and went off home. 009:008 And the crowds were awe-struck when they saw it, and ascribed the glory to God who had entrusted such power to a man. 009:009 Passing on thence Jesus saw a man called Matthew sitting at the Toll Office, and said to him, "Follow me." And he arose, and followed Him. 009:010 And while He was reclining at table, a large number of tax-gathers and notorious sinners were of the party with Jesus and His disciples. 009:011 The Pharisees noticed this, and they inquired of His disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with the tax-gatherers and notorious sinners?" 009:012 He heard the question and replied, "It is not men in good health who require a doctor, but the sick. 009:013 But go and learn what this means, `It is mercy that I desire, not sacrifice'; for I did not come to appeal to the righteous, but to sinners." 009:014 At that time John's disciples came and asked Jesus, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?" 009:015 "Can the bridegroom's party mourn," He replied, "as long as the bridegroom is with them? But other days will come (when the Bridegroom has been taken from them) and then they will fast. 009:016 No one ever mends an old cloak with a patch of newly woven cloth. Otherwise, the patch put on would tear away some of the old, and a worse hole would be made. 009:017 Nor do people pour new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the skins would split, the wine would escape, and the skins be destroyed. But they put new wine into fresh skins, and both are saved." 009:018 While He was thus speaking, a Ruler came up and profoundly bowing said, "My daughter is just dead; but come and put your hand upon her and she will return to life." 009:019 And Jesus rose and followed him, as did also His disciples. 009:020 But a woman who for twelve years had been afflicted with haemorrhage came behind Him and touched the tassel of His cloak; 009:021 for she said to herself, "If I but touch His cloak, I shall be cured." 009:022 And Jesus turned and saw her, and said, "Take courage, daughter; your faith has cured you." And the woman was restored to health from that moment. 009:023 Entering the Ruler's house, Jesus saw the flute-players and the crowd loudly wailing, 009:024 and He said, "Go out of the room; the little girl is not dead, but asleep." And they laughed at Him. 009:025 When however the place was cleared of the crowd, Jesus went in, and on His taking the little girl by the hand, she rose up. 009:026 And the report of this spread throughout all that district. 009:027 As Jesus passed on, two blind men followed Him, shouting and saying, "Pity us, Son of David." 009:028 And when He had gone indoors, they came to Him. "Do you believe that I can do this?" He asked them. "Yes, Sir," they replied. 009:029 So He touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith let it be to you." 009:030 Then their eyes were opened. And assuming a stern tone Jesus said to them, "Be careful to let no