"From the daysof Johnthe Baptistuntilnowthe kingdomof heavensuffers violence,and violent mentake it by force.
"The Lawand the Prophets[were proclaimed] untilJohn;sincethat timethe gospelof the kingdomof Godhas been preached,and everyoneis forcing his wayinto it.
"Striveto enterthroughthe narrowdoor;for many,I tellyou, will seekto enterand will not be able.
So then,my beloved,justas you have alwaysobeyed,not as in my presenceonly,but nowmuchmorein my absence,workout your salvationwith fearand trembling;
"Do not workfor the foodwhich perishes,but for the foodwhich enduresto eternallife,whichthe Sonof Manwill giveto you, for on Him the Father,God,has set His seal."
But Jesusansweringsaidto him, "Permit[it] at this time;for in this wayit is fittingfor us to fulfillallrighteousness."Thenhe permittedHim.
"TrulyI sayto you, amongthose bornof womenthere has not arisen[anyone] greaterthan Johnthe Baptist!Yetthe onewho is leastin the kingdomof heavenis greaterthan he.
"For allthe prophetsand the LawprophesieduntilJohn.
for an angelof the Lordwent downat certainseasonsinto the pooland stirredup the water;whoever thenfirst,afterthe stirringup of the water,steppedin was madewellfrom whateverdiseasewith whichhe was afflicted].
