< Matthew 17 >
1 A week after Jesus [said that], he took Peter, James, and John, the [younger] brother of James, and led them up a high mountain where they were away from other people.
And, after six days, Jesus taketh with him, Peter and James and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain, apart;
2 [While they were there, the three disciples] saw that Jesus’ appearance was changed. His face shone like the sun, and his clothing [shone and] became as brilliant as light.
and was transformed before them, —and his face shone as the sun, and, his garments, became white as the light.
3 Suddenly Moses and Elijah, [who were important prophets many years ago], appeared and started talking with him.
And lo! there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, conversing with him.
4 Peter [saw them and] said to Jesus, “Lord, it is wonderful for us to be here! If you want [me to], I will make three shelters, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
And Peter, answering, said unto Jesus—Lord! it is, delightful, for us, to be here, —If thou wilt, I will make here three tents, for thee, one, and, for Moses, one, and, for Elijah, one.
5 While Peter was speaking, a bright cloud [appeared and] covered them. [They heard God] speaking [about Jesus from] inside the cloud. He said [to them], “This is my Son. I love him. He pleases me very much. [So] you must listen to him!”
While yet he was speaking, lo! a brightly shining cloud, overshadowed them, and lo! a voice, out of the cloud, saying—This, is, my Son, the Beloved, in whom I delight, —Be hearkening to him.
6 When the three disciples heard [God speaking], they were terrified. [As a result], they fell prostrate on the ground.
And, hearing it, the disciples fell upon their face, and were caused to fear exceedingly.
7 But Jesus went to them and touched them [and] said [to them], “Stand up! Do not be afraid any more!”
And Jesus came near, and, touching them, said—Arise! and be not afraid.
8 And when they looked up [MTY], they saw that Jesus was the only one [who was still there].
And, lifting up their eyes, no one, saw they, save Jesus, himself, alone.
9 When they were walking down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Do not tell anyone what you saw [on the mountain top] until [God has caused me], the one who has come from heaven, to become alive again after I die.”
And, as they were coming down out of the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying—Unto no one, may ye tell the vision, until the Son of Man, from among the dead shall arise.
10 [Those three disciples had just seen Elijah and he did not do anything to prepare people for the coming of the Messiah], so they asked Jesus, “If [what you say is true], why do the men who teach the [Jewish] laws say that it is necessary for Elijah to come [back to earth] before [the Messiah comes]?”
And the disciples questioned him, saying—Why then do, the Scribes, say, that, Elijah, must needs come, first?
11 Jesus answered [them], “It is true that [God promised that] Elijah would come to prepare many [HYP] [people for the Messiah’s coming].
And, he, answering, said—Elijah, indeed, cometh, and will restored all things;
12 But note this: Elijah’s [representative] has already come, [and our leaders have seen him], but they did not recognize him [as the one who would come before the Messiah]. Instead, they treated him [badly], just like they desired. And those same rulers will soon treat [me], the one who came from heaven, in the same manner.”
But, I say unto you—that, Elijah, just now, came, —and they recognised him not, but did with him, whatsoever they pleased: Thus, the Son of Man also, is destined to suffer by them.
13 Then the three disciples understood that [when he was talking about Elijah], he was referring to John the Baptizer.
Then, perceived the disciples, that, concerning John the Immerser, he spake to them.
14 When [Jesus and the three disciples] returned to the [rest of us disciples] and to the crowd [that had gathered], a man approached Jesus and knelt before him.
And, when they came unto the multitude, there approached him a man, falling on his knees to him,
15 He said [to him], “Sir/Lord, have mercy on my son and [heal him]! He has epilepsy and suffers very much. [Because of this illness], he has fallen in the fire and in the water many times.
and saying—Lord! have mercy upon my son, —because he is lunatic, and in a grievous condition; For, many times, falleth he into the fire, and, many times, into the water.
16 I brought him to your disciples [in order that they might heal him], but they were not able to heal him.”
And I brought him unto thy disciples, and they could not cure, him.
17 Jesus responded [by saying to everyone who had gathered there], “[You who have seen how I help people] do not believe [that you can do anything! Your minds] are distorted! How long do I have to be with you [before you] are [able to do what I do] [RHQ]? How long [do] I have to endure your [not believing] [RHQ]? Bring the boy here to me!”
And Jesus, answering, said—O faithless and perverted generation! How long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to me, here.
18 When [they brought the boy to Jesus], Jesus rebuked the demon [that was causing the epilepsy]. [As a result], the demon came out of the boy, and right then the boy was healed.
And Jesus rebuked it; and the demon came out of him, —and cured was the boy, from that hour.
19 [Later, some of us] disciples approached Jesus. We asked him privately, “Why were we [(exc)] not able to expel the demon?”
Then, the disciples, coming near, to Jesus, privately, said—Wherefore could, we, not cast it out?
20 He answered us, “It is because you did not believe very much [in God’s power]. Think about this: Mustard seeds [are very small, but in this area they grow and produce large] [MET] [plants]. [Similarly], if your faith grows until you truly believe [that God will do what you ask him to], you will be able to do anything [LIT]! You [could even] say to this hill, ‘Move from here to there!’ and it would go [where you told it to go].”
And, he, saith unto them—Because of your little faith. For, verily, I say unto you—If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say to this mountain, remove hence yonder; and it shall be removed, and, nothing, shall be impossible to you.
22 When [we disciples] had gathered together in Galilee [district], Jesus said to us, “[I], the one who came from heaven, will soon be handed over {[Someone] will soon hand me, the one who came from heaven, over} to the authorities [SYN].
And, as they were being gathered together in Galilee, Jesus said unto them—The Son of Man is about to be delivered up into the hands of men;
23 They will kill me. But [God] will cause me to become alive again on the third day [after I am killed].” [When we heard that], we became very sad.
And they will slay him, and, on the third day, will he, arise. And they were grieved exceedingly.
24 When we came to Capernaum [city], the men who collect taxes [for the Temple approached Peter and said to him], “Your teacher pays the [Temple tax], does he not?”
And, when they came into Capernaum, they who, the half shekel, were receiving, came near unto Peter, and said, Your teacher, doth he not pay the half shekel?
25 He answered [them], “Yes, [he does pay it].” When we came into the house [where Jesus was saying], [before Peter began to talk about paying taxes], Jesus said [to him], “Simon, from whom do you think rulers collect revenue or taxes? [Do they collect taxes] from the citizens of their own [country], or from citizens of countries [they have conquered]?”
He saith—Yea. And, coming into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, How, to thee, doth it seem, Simon? The kings of the earth, of whom receive they dues or tax? from their sons, or from the aliens?
26 Peter answered [him], “From [citizens of] other [countries].” Then Jesus said to him, “So citizens of their own [country] do not need to [pay taxes].
And, when he said, From the aliens, Jesus said unto him, Well then, free, are the sons!
27 But [even though the Temple is mine, pay the tax for us so that the Temple tax collectors will not become angry with us. In order to get the money to pay it], go to the lake. Cast your [fish line and] hook, and take the first fish that you catch. When you open its mouth, you will find a silver coin [that is worth enough to pay the tax] for you and me. Take that coin and give [it] to the Temple tax collectors.”
But, that we may not cause them to stumble, go unto the sea, and cast in a hook, and, the first fish that cometh up, take, and, opening its mouth, thou shalt find a shekel, —that, take, and give to them for me and thee.