Luke 9

Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

He gathered his twelve disciples, giving them power and authority over all demons and to heal diseases.

And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

He passionately sent them out to proclaim God's kingdom and bring healing to those in pain.

And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.

He told them, "Embark on your journey with nothing. No staff, no bag, no food, no money, not even an extra coat."

And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.

Whenever you enter a home, stay there until you leave.

And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

If a town refuses to welcome you, leave it behind, shaking off its dust from your feet as a witness against them.

And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.

They left, journeying through various towns, passionately sharing the good news and spreading healing wherever they went.

Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead;

Herod, the ruler, heard about everything Jesus was doing. He was deeply troubled and confused, as some were saying that John had miraculously come back from the dead.

And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.

Some believed that Elijah had returned, while others thought an ancient prophet had been resurrected.

And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.

Herod confessed, "Yes, I ordered John's beheading. But who is this man stirring such talk?" Intrigued, he longed to meet him.

And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.

When the apostles returned, they excitedly shared their experiences with him. He then led them to a quiet, secluded spot in the wilderness near the city of Bethsaida for some privacy.

And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.

When the crowd recognized him, they eagerly pursued him. He welcomed them warmly, shared about God's kingdom, and tenderly healed those in need.

And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place.

As the day started to fade, the twelve disciples approached Jesus. "Let the crowd leave," they suggested, "so they can find food and shelter in the nearby towns and countryside. After all, we're in the middle of nowhere."

But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.

He told them, "Feed them." They replied, "All we have are five loaves and two fish. Unless we go and buy food for everyone."

For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.

There were around five thousand men present. He instructed his disciples, "Organize them into groups of fifty and have them sit down."

And they did so, and made them all sit down.

With obedience and respect, they guided everyone to take their seats.

Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.

With the five loaves and two fishes in hand, he lifted his gaze to the heavens, blessing the humble meal with a heart full of gratitude. He then broke the bread and fish, and handed them to his disciples to distribute among the eager crowd.

And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.

Everyone ate their fill, and even with their hunger satisfied, there was still enough leftovers to fill twelve baskets.

And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?

While he was praying in solitude, his followers were nearby. He turned to them and asked, "Who do people believe I am?"

They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.

They responded, some believe it's John the Baptist, others think it's Elias, and a few are convinced that an ancient prophet has returned.

He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.

He asked them, "Who do you believe I am?" Peter responded with conviction, "You are God's Messiah."

And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;

He firmly instructed them, with a stern voice and serious gaze, to keep this matter a secret from everyone.

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.

The human embodiment of God will endure great pain, face rejection from religious leaders, lose his life, but will rise again on the third day.

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

He told everyone, "If you wish to walk my path, you must say no to yourself, take up your cross every day, and follow my lead."

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

If you cling too tightly to your life, you'll lose it. But if you let go of your life for my cause, you'll truly find it.

For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

What good is it for someone to have everything in the world, yet lose their true self or be discarded?

For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.

If you deny or feel embarrassed about me and my teachings, then I, the Son of Man, will feel the same about you when I return in all my glory, accompanied by the glory of my Father and the holy angels.

But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.

Honestly, some of you here today will not experience death before witnessing God's divine realm.

And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.

About a week after his profound declarations, Jesus led Peter, John, and James up a mountain, seeking solitude for prayer.

And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

As he prayed, his face transformed, radiating light, and his clothes shone brilliantly white.

And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:

Suddenly, he found himself in deep conversation with two men, who were none other than Moses and Elias.

Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

In a radiant display, they spoke of his impending sacrifice in Jerusalem.

But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.

Peter and his companions were overwhelmed with sleep. When they finally awoke, they were awestruck by the radiant glory of Jesus and the two men standing beside him.

And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.

As they were leaving, Peter turned to Jesus, overwhelmed, and said, "Lord, it feels right to be here. Let's build three shelters; one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elias." He spoke without fully understanding his own words.

While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

As he spoke, a cloud suddenly appeared, enveloping them. Fear gripped their hearts as they stepped into the unknown within the cloud.

And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

A voice echoed from the heavens, filled with love and pride, "This is my cherished Son, listen to him."

And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.

After the voice faded, only Jesus remained. They kept this experience a secret, not sharing with anyone what they had witnessed.

And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.

The next day, as they descended from the hill, a large crowd eagerly greeted him.

And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child.

Suddenly, a man from the crowd cried out in desperation, "Teacher, please, I beg you to look at my son, my only child!"

And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him.

Suddenly, a spirit seizes him, causing him to cry out in distress. It torments him so much that he foams at the mouth, leaving him bruised and battered before reluctantly leaving him.

And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not.

I pleaded with your followers to drive the spirit out, but they were unable.

And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.

Jesus replied with a sigh, "Oh, how long must I endure this generation lacking faith and twisted in their ways? How much longer must I bear with you? Bring your son to me."

And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.

As he was on his way, evil struck, violently throwing him down. But Jesus, with a stern voice, silenced the wicked spirit. He healed the child, restoring him to his father's arms, safe and sound.

And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,

Everyone was awestruck by God's incredible power. As they marveled at Jesus's actions, he turned to his followers and said,

Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.

Absorb these words deeply: The human embodiment of divinity will be handed over to mankind.

But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.

They didn't grasp what he was saying; its meaning was hidden from them, so that they could not understand it. They were too scared to ask him to explain.

Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.

Then, a debate sparked among them, questioning who among them should be considered the greatest.

And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,

Sensing their inner thoughts, Jesus gently brought a child to his side.

And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.

He told them, "Anyone who welcomes this child as if it were me, is truly welcoming me. And anyone who welcomes me, is welcoming the one who sent me. Remember, the humblest among you will be the greatest."

And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.

John replied with concern, "Master, we saw someone expelling demons using your name. We stopped him because he isn't part of our group."

And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

Jesus gently told him, "Don't stop him. If he's not against us, he's with us."

And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,

When the moment arrived for him to ascend, he bravely and resolutely turned towards Jerusalem.

And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.

He dispatched his envoys ahead of him. They journeyed into a Samaritan village, preparing the way for his arrival.

And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

They turned him away, sensing from his determined expression that his heart was set on a journey to Jerusalem.

And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

Seeing this, James and John, his disciples, asked with concern, "Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to destroy them, just like Elias did?"

But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

But he turned, his voice stern with rebuke, and said, "You don't understand the essence of your own spirit."

For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

The Son of Man didn't come to harm us, but to rescue us. Then, they moved on to the next town.

And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

As they journeyed, a man approached him, saying with determination, "Lord, I'll follow you wherever you go."

And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

Jesus expressed to him, "Even foxes and birds have homes, but I, the Son of Man, have no place to rest."

And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

He turned to another, saying, "Walk with me." But the man replied, "Master, please let me first lay my father to rest."

Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

Jesus told him, "Let the dead bury their own dead. But you, go and proclaim God's kingdom."

And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

Another person pledged, "Lord, I'm ready to follow you. But first, allow me to say goodbye to my loved ones waiting at home."

And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Jesus told him, "Anyone who starts a task but keeps looking back, isn't ready for God's kingdom."