The Jews therefore said unto him, “Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?”

Jesus said unto them, “Verily, verily, I say unto you.  Before Abraham was born, I am.”

They took up stones therefore to cast at him; but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple.

THE MINISTRY IN PEREA

THE MISSION OF THE SEVENTY.

And he arose and cometh into the borders of Judaea and beyond the Jordan; and great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.

And the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself was about to come.  And he said unto them, “The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest.  Go your ways; behold, I send you forth as lambs into the midst of wolves.  Carry no purse, no wallet, no shoes; and salute no man on the way.  And into whatsoever house ye shall enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’  And if a son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon him; but if not, it shall turn to you again.  And in that same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give:  for the laborer is worthy of his hire.  Go not from house to house.  And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:  and heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, ’The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.’  But into whatsoever city ye shall enter, and they receive you not, go out into the streets thereof and say, ’Even the dust from your city, that cleaveth to our feet, we wipe off against you:  nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh.’  I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.  He that heareth you heareth me; and he that rejecteth you rejecteth me; and he that rejecteth me rejecteth him that sent me.”

THE RETURN OF THE SEVENTY.

And the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject unto us in thy name.”

And he said unto them, “I beheld Satan fallen as lightning from heaven.  Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy:  and nothing shall in any wise hurt you.  Nevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you:  but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

THE MEEK AND LOWLY.

In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes; yea, Father; for so it was well-pleasing in thy sight.  All things have been delivered unto me of my Father:  and no one knoweth who the Son is, save the Father; and who the Father is, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal him.”