"And blessedis he whodoes not take offenseat Me."
But a naturalmandoes not acceptthe things of the Spiritof God,for they are foolishnessto him; and he cannotunderstandthem, becausethey are spirituallyappraised.
ThenJesussaidto them, "You will allfall awaybecauseof Me thisnight,for it is written,I WILL STRIKE DOWNTHE SHEPHERD,AND THE SHEEPOF THE FLOCKSHALL BE SCATTERED.'
As a resultof thismanyof His discipleswithdrewand were not walkingwith Him anymore.
"At that timemanywill fall awayand will betrayoneanotherand hateone another.
and, "A STONEOF STUMBLINGAND A ROCKOF OFFENSE";for they stumblebecause they are disobedientto the word,and to this[doom] they were alsoappointed.
"Woeto the worldbecauseof [its] stumblingblocks!For it is inevitablethat stumbling blockscome;but woeto that manthroughwhomthe stumbling blockcomes!
But I, brethren,ifI stillpreachcircumcision,whyam I stillpersecuted?Thenthe stumbling blockof the crosshas been abolished.
Aleph. How blessedare those whose wayis blameless,Who walkin the lawof the LORD.
And Simeonblessedthem and saidto MaryHis mother,"Behold,this[Child] is appointedfor the falland riseof manyin Israel,and for a signto be opposed--
"Ifyour righteyemakes you stumble,tearit out and throwit from you; for it is betterfor you to loseoneof the partsof your body, thanfor your wholebodyto be throwninto hell.
yethe hasno[firm] rootin himself,but is [only] temporary,and when afflictionorpersecutionarisesbecauseof the word,immediatelyhe falls away.
"Is not thisthe carpenter,the sonof Mary,and brotherof Jamesand Josesand Judasand Simon?Are not His sistersherewith us?" And they took offenseat Him.
"Blessedis he whodoes not takeoffense at Me."
"These thingsI have spokento you sothat you may be keptfrom stumbling.
