Luke 8

 

1 And it came to pass afterward, that He went throughout every city and village, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God (the government which rests on the shoulders of His indestructible life): and the twelve (disciples) were with Him,

 

2 And certain women, who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven devils,

 

3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, who ministered to Him from their substance.

 

4 And when many people were gathered together, and came to Him out of every city, He spoke by a parable:

 

5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell beside the roadway; and it was trampled upon, and the fowls of the air devoured it.

 

6 And some fell upon the rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.

 

7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it.

 

8 And others fell on good ground and sprang up and produced fruit a hundred times. And when He had said these things, He cried, He that has ears to hear, let him hear.

 

9 And His disciples asked Him, What does this parable mean?

 

10 And He said, To you (who believe, who have ears to hear and eyes to see) it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others (who refuse to believe, I speak) in parables (using dark sayings); so that (which was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled) seeing those (who are blind) might not see and hearing those (who are dull of hearing) might not understand (for fear at any time they might be converted and their blindness be exposed).

 

11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God (Christ, the same word that became flesh, that is able to exalt one unto an endless life and the ground is the heart).

 

12 Those (that fall) by the roadside are they that hear (the word); then the devil (the fowl prince of the air) comes, and takes away the word out of their hearts, for fear that they should believe and be saved.

 

13 Those (which fall) on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy (but their hearts remain hard); and so (lacking moisture to soften their heart) have no root (for it to grow), who believe for a while, but when they are tempted (to take up their own life, they stumble at the truth and) fall away.

 

14 And that which fell among thorns are they, who, when they have heard, go on their way (the same cursed way, not continuing in the word), and are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life (in the world), and bring no fruit to perfection (but become unfruitful).

 

15 But those that fall on the good ground are they, who with an honest and good heart (that sees they have no ability to produce the fruit of eternal life within themselves, look to God and His grace), having heard the word, (believe it, and observe it so to) keep it (always in their heart), and bring forth fruit (of righteousness which they wait for the certainty of) with patience.

 

16 No man, when he has lit a candle, covers it with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he sets it on a candlestick, so that all those who enter in may see the light.

 

17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither anything hidden that shall not be known and come to light.

 

18 Pay attention therefore how you hear: for whoever has (ears to hear and eyes to see from a good heart that looks to God and His grace), to him shall be given; and whoever does not have (ears to hear and eyes to see, but is blind, looking to himself and his own imagination), from him shall even that which he seems to have be taken (from his heart).

 

19 Then His mother came to Him and His brothers and could not get to Him because of the crowd.

 

20 And it was told to Him by certain who said, Your mother and your brothers stand outside, desiring to see you.

 

21 And He answered and said to them, My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and (observe it to) keep it (believing He who promised is also able to perform it).

 

22 Now it came to pass on a certain day that He went into a ship with His disciples: and He said to them, Let us go over to the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.

 

23 But as they sailed, He fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water and were in jeopardy.

 

24 And they came to Him, and woke Him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm (on the lake and in their hearts).

 

25 And He said to them, Where is your faith? And they, being in awe, wondered, saying one to another, Who then is this! for He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him (for only God can calm the sea).

 

26 And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.

 

27 And when He went forth to land, there met Him out of the city a certain man, who had (many) devils for a long time, and wore no clothes, neither stayed in any house, but (lived) among the (rocks and) tombs.

 

28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with you, Jesus, you Son of God Most High? I beg you, do not torment me.

 

29 {For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had seized him: and he was kept bound with chains and in restraints; and he broke the bands and was driven by the devil into the wilderness.}

 

30 And Jesus asked him, saying, What is your name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.

 

31 And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the deep (the abyss).

 

32 And there was a herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they begged Him that He would allow them to enter into them. And He did allow them.

 

33 Then the devils went out of the man and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake and were drowned.

 

34 When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled and went and told it in the city and in the country.

 

35 Then they (from the city) went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

 

36 Those who also saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed (by Jesus).

 

37 Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about begged Him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and He went up into the ship and returned from where He had come.

 

38 Now the man out of whom the devils were departed begged Him that he might stay with Him: but Jesus sent him away, saying,

 

39 Return to your own house and report how great things God has done for you. And he went his way and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done for him.

 

40 And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received Him: for they were all waiting for Him.

 

41 And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and wanted Him that He would come into his house:

 

42 For he had only one daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay dying. But as He went, the crowd pressed in on Him.

 

43 And a woman having an unending flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her living on physicians, and she could not be healed by any,

 

44 Came behind Him and touched the border of His garment: and immediately her flow of blood halted.

 

45 And Jesus said, Who touched Me? When they all denied, Peter and those who were with him said, Master, the multitude surrounds you and presses you, and you say, Who touched Me?

 

46 And Jesus said, Somebody has touched Me: for I perceive that power has gone out of Me.

 

47 And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before Him, she declared to Him before all the people for what reason she had touched Him, and how she was healed immediately.

 

48 And He said to her, Daughter, be of good comfort: your faith (in Me) has made you whole (lacking nothing pertaining to life and Godlikeness); go in peace.

 

49 While He yet spoke, there came one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Master (any longer).

 

50 But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made (perfectly) whole.

 

51 And when He came into the house, He allowed no man to go in, except Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the young girl.

 

52 And all wept, and mourned her: but He said, Do not weep; she is not dead, but (her body) sleeps.

 

53 And they laughed, mocking Him, knowing that she was dead.

 

54 And He put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.

 

55 And her spirit came again (to her body), and she arose straightway: and He commanded her to be given food.

 

56 And her parents were astonished: but He instructed them that they should tell no man what was done.