Part 701 (1/2)

23:19. Who, for a certain sedition made in the city and for a murder, was cast into prison.

23:20. And Pilate again spoke to them, desiring to release Jesus.

23:21. But they cried again, saying: Crucify him, Crucify him.

23:22. And he said to them the third time: Why, what evil hath this man done? I find no cause of death in him. I will chastise him therefore and let him go.

23:23. But they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And their voices prevailed.

23:24. And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.

23:25. And he released unto them him who for murder and sedition had been cast into prison, whom they had desired. But Jesus he delivered up to their will.

23:26. And as they led him away, they laid hold of one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country; and they laid the cross on him to carry after Jesus.

23:27. And there followed him a great mult.i.tude of people and of women, who bewailed and lamented him.

23:28. But Jesus turning to them, said: Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not over me; but weep for yourselves and for your children.

23:29. For behold, the days shall come, wherein they will say: Blessed are the barren and the wombs that have not borne and the paps that have not given suck.

23:30. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains: Fall upon us. And to the hills: Cover us.

23:31. For if in the green wood they do these things, what shall be done in the dry?

23:32. And there were also two other malefactors led with him to be put to death.

23:33. And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, they crucified him there: and the robbers, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

23:34. And Jesus said: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. But they, dividing his garments, cast lots.

23:35. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers with them derided him, saying: He saved others: let him save himself, if he be Christ, the elect of G.o.d.

23:36. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him and offering him vinegar,

23:37. And saying: If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.

23:38. And there was also a superscription written over him in letters of Greek and Latin and Hebrew THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

23:39. And one of those robbers who were hanged blasphemed him, saying: If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

23:40. But the other answering, rebuked him, saying: Neither dost thou fear G.o.d, seeing; thou art under the same condemnation?

23:41. And we indeed justly: for we receive the due reward of our deeds.

But this man hath done no evil.

23:42. And he said to Jesus: Lord, remember me when thou shalt come into thy kingdom.

23:43. And Jesus said to him: Amen I say to thee: This day thou shalt be with me in paradise.