Mark 14

After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.

In two days, the sacred Passover feast and the unleavened bread ritual were due. The high priests and scholars were plotting, scheming to capture him, their hearts set on his death.

But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.

But they decided, "Not during the festival, to avoid causing a public commotion."

And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.

While in Bethany, at Simon the leper's home, a woman arrived during dinner. She held a valuable alabaster jar filled with spikenard perfume. Overwhelmed with emotion, she broke the jar and lovingly poured the perfume over his head.

And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?

Some were upset, questioning, "Why was this precious ointment wasted?"

For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

They complained about her, saying, "That could've been sold for a hefty sum and given to the needy!"

And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.

Jesus spoke up, "Leave her be. Why are you bothering her? She's done something beautiful for me."

For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.

The less fortunate will always be among you, and you can help them whenever you wish. But I won't always be here with you.

She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

She did her best, arriving early to prepare my body for burial with her loving touch.

Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

Truly, I tell you, wherever this good news is shared across the globe, her actions will be remembered and celebrated as a lasting tribute to her.

And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.

Judas Iscariot, a member of the twelve disciples, went to the high priests, intending to betray Jesus to them.

And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.

Upon hearing the news, their hearts swelled with joy, and they pledged to reward him with riches. He then began to plot, seeking the perfect moment to betray him.

And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?

On the first day of the sacred feast, when the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed, his followers asked him, "Where should we go to prepare your Passover meal?"

And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.

He sent two of his followers, telling them, "Go to the city. You'll find a man carrying a jug of water. Follow him."

And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?

When you enter, ask the homeowner, 'The Teacher asks, where is the room where I can share the Passover meal with my followers?'

And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.

He will guide you to a spacious, well-equipped room upstairs: prepare it for us there.

And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

His followers, filled with faith, ventured into the city. Just as He had promised, they found everything in place. Overwhelmed with gratitude, they prepared for the Passover.

And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.

As dusk fell, he arrived, accompanied by his twelve companions.

And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.

As they shared a meal, Jesus spoke with a heavy heart, "I assure you, one of you dining with me will betray me."

And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?

They started feeling deep sadness, each asking him, "Could it be me?" while others echoed, "Am I the one?"

And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.

He replied to them, "It's one of the twelve, who shares the same meal with me."

The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.

Indeed, the destined path of the Son of man is as foretold. But alas, the man who betrays him is cursed! It would be better if he had never come into existence.

And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.

As they shared their meal, Jesus lovingly took a loaf of bread, offered a blessing, broke it into pieces, and handed it to them. He said gently, "Take this and eat; this is my body."

And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.

He took the cup, gave thanks, and passed it to them, and they all drank from it.

And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

He told them, "This is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for many."

Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

Truly, I promise you, I won't sip another drop of wine until the day we share it anew in God's heavenly kingdom.

And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

After their hearts poured out in song, they journeyed towards the Olive Mountain.

And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.

Jesus warned them, "Tonight, you'll all fall away and desert me. As the prophecy says, 'When the shepherd is struck, the sheep will scatter.'"

But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.

Once I've risen, I'll lead the way to Galilee, filled with hope and anticipation.

But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.

Peter assured him, "Even if everyone else falls away, I never will."

And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.

Jesus looked at him, a deep sadness in His eyes, "Truly, I tell you," He said softly, "Today, even before the rooster crows twice, you will deny knowing me three times."

But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.

With passionate conviction, he declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you." Everyone else echoed this sentiment.

And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.

They arrived at a spot known as Gethsemane. He turned to his followers and gently said, "Stay here, my friends, while I go to pray."

And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

He brought Peter, James, and John along with him. He was overwhelmed with distress and burdened with deep sorrow.

And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

He told them, "My heart is overwhelmed with sadness, it feels like I'm dying. Please, stay here and keep watch."

And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.

He moved ahead slightly, collapsed to the earth, pleading in prayer, hoping against hope that he could escape the impending hour.

And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

He cried out, "Dad, you can do anything; please, remove this burden from me. Yet, it's not about what I want, but what you want."

And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?

He arrived to find them asleep and asked Peter, "Simon, were you sleeping? Couldn't you stay awake for just one hour?"

Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

Stay alert and pray, so you're not drawn into temptation. Your spirit is willing, but your body can easily give in.

And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.

Once more, he withdrew, pouring his heart out in prayer, repeating his earnest plea.

And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.

When he came back, he found them sleeping again, their eyes weighed down with exhaustion. They were so tired, they didn't even know how to respond to him.

And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

He came to them a third time, saying gently, "Rest now, sleep. The time has come. The innocent one is given to those who do wrong."

Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.

Stand up, let's move; sadly, the one who will betray me is near.

And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

As he was still speaking, Judas, one of his closest, arrived. He wasn't alone; a large crowd armed with weapons, sent by the religious leaders, accompanied him.

And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.

The one who betrayed him had set a sign, saying, "The one I kiss is the man; seize him and take him away under guard."

And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.

As soon as he arrived, he immediately approached him, calling out, "Teacher, teacher," and affectionately kissed him.

And they laid their hands on him, and took him.

They seized him and arrested him.

And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

In the heat of the moment, one bystander, driven by anger, unsheathed his sword. He struck the high priest's servant, severing his ear in a swift, merciless blow.

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?

Jesus looked at them, his voice tinged with sadness, "Did you really come to confront me as if I were a common criminal, armed with swords and clubs?"

I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.

Every day, I was with you in the temple, sharing wisdom, yet you didn't arrest me. But it's crucial that the prophecies come true.

And they all forsook him, and fled.

Everyone abandoned him, running away in fear.

And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:

A young man, draped only in a linen cloth, followed him. But when other young men seized him, fear gripped his heart.

And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

He abandoned his only garment, fleeing from them, bare and vulnerable.

And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.

Jesus was taken to the high priest, surrounded by the top priests, elders, and scholars.

And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

Peter trailed behind him from a distance, right up to the high priest's grand residence. He sat among the servants, seeking comfort and warmth from the fire.

And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.

The high priests and the entire council desperately searched for evidence to condemn Jesus to death, but they found nothing.

For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.

Numerous people falsely accused him, yet their stories didn't align, causing confusion and doubt.

And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,

Some people stood up, falsely accusing him with lies, their words dripping with deceit.

We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.

We heard his passionate promise, "I'll tear down this man-made temple, and in three days, I'll raise up a divine one, built without human hands."

But neither so did their witness agree together.

Yet, their testimonies were filled with discord, lacking harmony and agreement.

And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?

The high priest rose, his eyes fixed on Jesus, his voice filled with curiosity and confusion. "Why are you silent, Jesus?" he asked. "What do these accusations against you mean?"

But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?

He remained silent, offering no response. The high priest questioned him again, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of God?"

And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

Jesus confidently declared, "It's me. You'll witness me, as a human, seated beside the ultimate power, arriving amidst the heavenly clouds."

Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?

The high priest, in a fit of anger, tore his robes and exclaimed, "Do we really need more evidence?"

Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.

You've heard his blasphemy, what's your verdict? Everyone condemned him as deserving to die.

And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.

Some started to disrespectfully spit on him, blindfolding him and cruelly hitting him, mockingly demanding him to prophesy. The servants also joined in, slapping him with their hands.

And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:

While Peter was downstairs in the mansion, a servant girl of the high priest approached him.

And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.

Seeing Peter warming himself, she gazed at him and asked, "Weren't you with Jesus of Nazareth too?"

But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.

He vehemently denied, claiming, "I'm clueless, I don't get what you're saying." Then, he stepped out onto the porch, and a rooster crowed.

And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.

A young girl spotted him once more, and with a pointed finger and a hushed whisper to those nearby, she said, "He's one of them."

And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.

Once more, he denied it. Shortly after, those nearby confronted Peter again, "You must be one of them. You're a Galilean, your accent gives you away."

But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.

Then he began to curse and to swear an oath, "I have no clue who this man you're talking about is!"

And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.

As the rooster crowed for the second time, Peter remembered Jesus' words to him - "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times." Overwhelmed with regret, tears streamed down his face.