Jesus replied,“ That’s right. Elijah does come first. He makes all things new again. So why is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and not be accepted?

耶稣说：“以利亚固然先来复兴万事；经上不是指着人子说，他要受许多的苦被人轻慢呢？

耶稣说：“以利亚的确先来复兴万事。经上不是指着人子说，他要受许多的苦和被人轻慢吗？

耶稣说：“以利亚的确先来复兴万事。经上不是指着人子说，他要受许多的苦和被人轻慢吗？

耶稣回答说：“以利亚固然要先来复兴一切，但为什么圣经上说人子一定会饱受痛苦、遭人蔑视呢？

耶稣说：“以利亚固然要先来复兴一切，但圣经为什么又记载人子要受许多苦，被人藐视呢？

耶稣告诉他们：“以利亚确实要先来恢复万事。至于人子，经上怎么还记载说，他必然受很多苦害，并且被人拒绝呢？

耶穌說：「以利亞固然先來復興萬事；經上不是指着人子說，他要受許多的苦被人輕慢呢？

耶穌說：「以利亞的確先來復興萬事。經上不是指着人子說，他要受許多的苦和被人輕慢嗎？

耶穌說：「以利亞的確先來復興萬事。經上不是指着人子說，他要受許多的苦和被人輕慢嗎？

耶穌回答說：「以利亞固然要先來復興一切，但為什麼聖經上說人子一定會飽受痛苦、遭人蔑視呢？

耶穌說：“以利亞固然要先來復興一切，但聖經為甚麼又記載人子要受許多苦，被人藐視呢？

耶穌對他們說：『「以利亞先來、復興萬事！」那麼那指着人子、說他該受許多苦、並被藐視、是怎麼記載的呢？

耶穌告訴他們：「以利亞確實要先來恢復萬事。至於人子，經上怎麼還記載說，他必然受很多苦害，並且被人拒絕呢？

耶穌曰、以利亞果先至、興復諸事、但記云、人子必經諸苦、為人所忽、何耶、

曰、以利亞先至、振興諸事、而人子必備受害、為人所忽、記已言之、

耶穌謂之曰、以利亞必先至、振興諸事、而經指人子何所載、蓋載人子必多受苦、為人所侮、

答曰：『伊理靄固需先來振興萬事、然經不亦言人子應如何備嘗苦辱乎？

Jesus replied,“ To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected?

And he said to them,“ Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt?

Jesus responded,“ Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready. Yet why do the Scriptures say that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be treated with utter contempt?

“ Elijah does come first and restores all things,” he replied.“ Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be treated with contempt?

And He said to them,“ Elijah does come first and he restores all things. And yet how is it written of the Son of Man that He will suffer many things and be treated with contempt?

Then He answered and told them,“ Indeed, Elijah is coming first and restores all things. And how is it written concerning the Son of Man, that He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt?

And he said unto them, Elijah indeed cometh first, and restoreth all things: and how is it written of the Son of man, that he should suffer many things and be set at nought?

“ Elijah does come first and restores everything,” He replied.“ How then is it written about the Son of Man that He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt?

And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.

He said to them,“ Elijah does indeed come first, and restores all things. And why is it written that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be despised?

He said to them,“ Elijah indeed comes first, and restores all things. How is it written about the Son of Man, that he should suffer many things and be despised?

Who has believed what we’ve been saying? Who has seen the Lord’ s saving power?His servant grew up like a tender young plant. He grew like a root coming up out of dry ground. He didn’t have any beauty or majesty that made us notice him. There wasn’t anything special about the way he looked that drew us to him.People looked down on him. They didn’t accept him. He knew all about pain and suffering. He was like someone people turn their faces away from. We looked down on him. We didn’t have any respect for him.He suffered the things we should have suffered. He took on himself the pain that should have been ours. But we thought God was punishing him. We thought God was wounding him and making him suffer.But the servant was pierced because we had sinned. He was crushed because we had done what was evil. He was punished to make us whole again. His wounds have healed us.All of us are like sheep. We have wandered away from God. All of us have turned to our own way. And the Lord has placed on his servant the sins of all of us.He was treated badly and made to suffer. But he didn’t open his mouth. He was led away like a lamb to be killed. Sheep are silent while their wool is being cut off. In the same way, he didn’t open his mouth.He was arrested and sentenced to death. Then he was taken away. He was cut off from this life. He was punished for the sins of my people. Who among those who were living at that time tried to stop what was happening?He was given a grave with those who were evil. But his body was buried in the tomb of a rich man. He was killed even though he hadn’t harmed anyone. And he had never lied to anyone.The Lord says,“ It was my plan to crush him and cause him to suffer. I made his life an offering to pay for sin. But he will see all his children after him. In fact, he will continue to live. My plan will be brought about through him.After he has suffered, he will see the light of life. And he will be satisfied. My godly servant will make many people godly because of what he will accomplish. He will be punished for their sins.So I will give him a place of honor among those who are great. He will be rewarded just like others who win the battle. That’s because he was willing to give his life as a sacrifice. He was counted among those who had committed crimes. He took the sins of many people on himself. And he gave his life for those who had done what is wrong.”

I let my enemies beat me on my bare back. I let them pull the hair out of my beard. I didn’t turn my face away when they made fun of me and spit on me.

Herod and his soldiers laughed at him and made fun of him. They dressed him in a beautiful robe. Then they sent him back to Pilate.

The Lord sets his people free. He is the Holy One of Israel. He speaks to his servant, who is looked down on and hated by the nations. He speaks to the servant of rulers. He says to him,“ Kings will see you and stand up to honor you. Princes will see you and bow down to show you their respect. I am the Lord. I am faithful. I am the Holy One of Israel. I have chosen you.”

Many people were shocked when they saw him. He was so scarred that he no longer looked like a person. His body was so twisted that he did not look like a human being anymore.

He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.And he will prepare the way for the Lord. He will have the same spirit and power that Elijah had. He will bring peace between parents and their children. He will teach people who don’t obey to be wise and do what is right. In this way, he will prepare a people who are ready for the Lord.”

“ My sword, wake up! Attack my shepherd! Attack the man who is close to me,” announces the Lord who rules over all.“ Strike down the shepherd. Then the sheep will be scattered. And I will turn my hand against their little ones.

God, save me. My troubles are like a flood. I’m up to my neck in them.I’m sinking in deep mud. I have no firm place to stand. I am out in deep water. The waves roll over me.I’m worn out from calling for help. My throat is very dry. My eyes grow tired looking for my God.Those who hate me without any reason are more than the hairs on my head. Many people who don’t have any reason to be my enemies are trying to destroy me. They force me to give back what I didn’t steal.God, you know how foolish I’ve been. My guilt is not hidden from you.Lord, you are the Lord who rules over all. May those who put their hope in you not be dishonored because of me. You are the God of Israel. May those who worship you not be put to shame because of me.Because of you, people laugh at me. My face is covered with shame.I’m an outsider to my own family. I’m a stranger to my own mother’s children.My great love for your house destroys me. Those who make fun of you make fun of me also.When I weep and go without eating, they laugh at me.When I put on rough clothing to show how sad I am, people make jokes about me.Those who gather in public places make fun of me. Those who get drunk make up songs about me.But Lord, I pray to you. May this be the time you help me. God, answer me because you love me so much. Save me, as you always do.Save me from the trouble I’m in. It’s like slippery mud, so don’t let me sink in it. Save me from those who hate me. Save me from the deep water I’m in.Don’t let the floods cover me. Don’t let the deep water swallow me up. Don’t let the grave close its mouth over me.Lord, answer me because your love is so good. Turn to me because you are so kind.Don’t turn your face away from me. Answer me quickly. I’m in trouble.Come near and save me. Set me free from my enemies.You know how they make fun of me. They dishonor me and put me to shame. You know all about my enemies.They have broken my heart by saying evil things about me. It has left me helpless. I looked for pity, but I didn’t find any. I looked for someone to comfort me, but I didn’t find anyone.They put bitter spices in my food. They gave me vinegar when I was thirsty.Let their feast be a trap and a snare. Let my enemies get what’s coming to them.Let their eyes grow weak so they can’t see. Let their backs be bent forever.Pour out your anger on them. Let them feel what it is like.May their homes be deserted. May no one live in their tents.They attack those you have wounded. They talk about the pain of those you have hurt.Charge them with one crime after another. Don’t save them.May their names be erased from the book of life. Don’t include them in the list of those who do right.I’m in pain. I’m in deep trouble. God, save me and keep me safe.I will praise God’s name by singing to him. I will bring him glory by giving him thanks.That will please the Lord more than offering him an ox. It will please him more than offering him a bull with its horns and hooves.Poor people will see it and be glad. The hearts of those who worship God will be strengthened.The Lord hears those who are in need. He doesn’t forget his people in prison.Let heaven and earth praise him. Let the oceans and everything that moves in them praise him.God will save Zion. He will build the cities of Judah again. Then people will live in them and own the land.The children of those who serve God will receive it. Those who love him will live there.

Elijah will bring peace between parents and their children. He will also bring peace between children and their parents. If that does not happen, I will come. And I will completely destroy the land.”

A messenger is calling out,“ In the desert prepare the way for the Lord. Make a straight road through it for our God.Every valley will be filled in. Every mountain and hill will be made level. The rough ground will be smoothed out. The rocky places will be made flat.Then the glory of the Lord will appear. And everyone will see it together. The Lord has spoken.”

In those days John the Baptist came and preached in the Desert of Judea.He said,“ Turn away from your sins! The kingdom of heaven has come near.”John is the one Isaiah the prophet had spoken about. He had said,“ A messenger is calling out in the desert,‘ Prepare the way for the Lord. Make straight paths for him.’ ”( Isaiah 40:3)John’s clothes were made out of camel’s hair. He had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea. They also came from the whole area around the Jordan River.When they confessed their sins, John baptized them in the Jordan.John saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing. He said to them,“ You are like a nest of poisonous snakes! Who warned you to escape the coming of God’s anger?Live in a way that shows you have turned away from your sins.Don’t think you can say to yourselves,‘ Abraham is our father.’ I tell you, God can raise up children for Abraham even from these stones.The ax is ready to cut the roots of the trees. All the trees that don’t produce good fruit will be cut down. They will be thrown into the fire.“ I baptize you with water, calling you to turn away from your sins. But after me, someone is coming who is more powerful than I am. I’m not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.His pitchfork is in his hand to clear the straw from his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the storeroom. But he will burn up the husks with fire that can’t be put out.”

My God, my God, why have you deserted me? Why do you seem so far away when I need you to save me? Why do you seem so far away that you can’t hear my groans?My God, I cry out in the daytime. But you don’t answer. I cry out at night. But you don’t let me sleep.But you rule from your throne as the Holy One. You are the God Israel praises.Our people of long ago put their trust in you. They trusted in you, and you saved them.They cried out to you and were saved. They trusted in you, and you didn’t let them down.Everyone treats me like a worm and not a man. They hate me and look down on me.All those who see me laugh at me. They shout at me and make fun of me. They shake their heads at me.They say,“ He trusts in the Lord. Let the Lord help him. If the Lord is pleased with him, let him save him.”But you brought me out of my mother’s body. You made me trust in you even when I was at my mother’s breast.From the time I was born, you took good care of me. Ever since I came out of my mother’s body, you have been my God.Don’t be far away from me. Trouble is near, and there is no one to help me.Many enemies are all around me. They are like strong bulls from the land of Bashan.They are like roaring lions that tear to pieces what they kill. They open their mouths wide to attack me.My strength is like water that is poured out on the ground. I feel as if my bones aren’t connected. My heart has turned to wax. It has melted away inside me.My mouth is dried up like a piece of broken pottery. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You bring me down to the edge of the grave.A group of sinful people has closed in on me. They are all around me like a pack of dogs. They have pierced my hands and my feet.Everyone can see all my bones right through my skin. People stare at me. They laugh when I suffer.They divide up my clothes among them. They cast lots for what I am wearing.Lord, don’t be so far away from me. You give me strength. Come quickly to help me.Save me from being killed by the sword. Save the only life I have. Save me from the power of those dogs.Save me from the mouths of those lions. Save me from the horns of those wild oxen.I will announce your name to my people. I will praise you among those who are gathered to worship you.You who have respect for the Lord, praise him! All you people of Jacob, honor him! All you people of Israel, worship him!He has not forgotten the one who is hurting. He has not turned away from his suffering. He has not turned his face away from him. He has listened to his cry for help.Because of what you have done, I will praise you in the whole community of those who worship you. In front of those who respect you, I will keep my promises.Those who are poor will eat and be satisfied. Those who seek the Lord will praise him. May their hearts be filled with new hope!People from one end of the earth to the other will remember and turn to the Lord. The people of all the nations will bow down in front of him.The Lord is King. He rules over the nations.All rich people of the earth will feast and worship God. All who go down to the grave will kneel in front of him. Those who cannot keep themselves alive will kneel.Those who are not yet born will serve him. Those who are born later will be told about the Lord.And they will tell people who have not yet been born,“ The Lord has done what is right!”

The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But how terrible it will be for the one who hands over the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

“ And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High God. You will go ahead of the Lord to prepare the way for him.

“ The Lord has appointed 70‘ weeks’ for your people and your holy city. During that time, acts against God’s law will be stopped. Sin will come to an end. And the evil things people do will be paid for. Then everyone will always do what is right. Everything that has been made known in visions and prophecies will come true. And the Most Holy Room in the temple will be anointed.“ Here is what I want you to know and understand. There will be seven‘ weeks.’ Then there will be 62‘ weeks.’ The seven‘ weeks’ will begin when an order is given to rebuild Jerusalem and make it like new again. At the end of the 62‘ weeks,’ the Anointed King will come. Jerusalem will have streets and a water system when it is rebuilt. But that will be done in times of trouble.After the 62‘ weeks,’ the Anointed King will be put to death. His followers will desert him. And everything he has will be taken away from him. The army of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the temple. The end will come like a flood. War will continue until the end. The Lord has ordered that many places be destroyed.

Instead, he made himself nothing. He did this by taking on the nature of a servant. He was made just like human beings.He appeared as a man. He was humble and obeyed God completely. He did this even though it led to his death. Even worse, he died on a cross!

One of the criminals hanging there made fun of Jesus. He said,“ Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself! Save us!”

Long ago Isaiah the prophet wrote,“ I will send my messenger ahead of you. He will prepare your way.”( Malachi 3:1)“ A messenger is calling out in the desert,‘ Prepare the way for the Lord. Make straight paths for him.’ ”( Isaiah 40:3)And so John the Baptist appeared in the desert. He preached that people should be baptized and turn away from their sins. Then God would forgive them.All the people from the countryside of Judea went out to him. All the people from Jerusalem went too. When they admitted they had sinned, John baptized them in the Jordan River.John wore clothes made out of camel’s hair. He had a leather belt around his waist. And he ate locusts and wild honey.Here is what John was preaching.“ After me, there is someone coming who is more powerful than I am. I’m not good enough to bend down and untie his sandals.I baptize you with water. But he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples what would happen to him. He told them he must go to Jerusalem. There he must suffer many things from the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law. He must be killed and on the third day rise to life again.

There was a man sent from God. His name was John.He came to be a witness about that light. He was a witness so that all people might believe.John himself was not the light. He came only as a witness to the light.The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.The Word was in the world. And the world was made through him. But the world did not recognize him.He came to what was his own. But his own people did not accept him.Some people did accept him and did believe in his name. He gave them the right to become children of God.To be a child of God has nothing to do with human parents. Children of God are not born because of human choice or because a husband wants them to be born. They are born because of what God does.The Word became a human being. He made his home with us. We have seen his glory. It is the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father. And the Word was full of grace and truth.John was a witness about the Word. John cried out and said,“ This was the one I was talking about. I said,‘ He who comes after me is more important than I am. He is more important because he existed before I was born.’ ”God is full of grace. From him we have all received grace in place of the grace already given.In the past, God gave us grace through the law of Moses. Now, grace and truth come to us through Jesus Christ.No one has ever seen God. But the One and Only is God and is at the Father’s side. The one at the Father’s side has shown us what God is like.The Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask John who he was. John spoke the truth to them.He did not try to hide the truth. He spoke to them openly. He said,“ I am not the Messiah.”They asked him,“ Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said,“ I am not.”“ Are you the Prophet we’ve been expecting?” they asked.“ No,” he answered.They asked one last time,“ Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”John replied, using the words of Isaiah the prophet. John said,“ I’m the messenger who is calling out in the desert,‘ Make the way for the Lord straight.’ ”( Isaiah 40:3)The Pharisees who had been sentasked him,“ If you are not the Messiah, why are you baptizing people? Why are you doing that if you aren’t Elijah or the Prophet we’ve been expecting?”“ I baptize people with water,” John replied.“ But someone is standing among you whom you do not know.He is the one who comes after me. I am not good enough to untie his sandals.”This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan River. That was where John was baptizing.The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him. John said,“ Look! The Lamb of God! He takes away the sin of the world!This is the one I was talking about. I said,‘ A man who comes after me is more important than I am. That’s because he existed before I was born.’I did not know him. But God wants to make it clear to Israel who this person is. That’s the reason I came baptizing with water.”Then John told them,“ I saw the Holy Spirit come down from heaven like a dove. The Spirit remained on Jesus.I myself did not know him. But the one who sent me to baptize with water told me,‘ You will see the Spirit come down and remain on someone. He is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’I have seen it happen. I am a witness that this is God’s Chosen One.”The next day John was there again with two of his disciples.He saw Jesus walking by. John said,“ Look! The Lamb of God!”

God, rise up. Stand up for your cause. Remember how foolish people make fun of you all day long.

John the Baptist was in prison. When he heard about the actions of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to him.They asked Jesus,“ Are you the one who is supposed to come? Or should we look for someone else?”Jesus replied,“ Go back to John. Report to him what you hear and see.Blind people receive sight. Disabled people walk. Those who have skin diseases are made‘ clean.’ Deaf people hear. Those who are dead are raised to life. And the good news is preached to those who are poor.Blessed is anyone who does not give up their faith because of me.”As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John. He said,“ What did you go out into the desert to see? Tall grass waving in the wind?If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No. People who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces.Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.He is the one written about in Scripture. It says,“‘ I will send my messenger ahead of you. He will prepare your way for you.’( Malachi 3:1)What I’m about to tell you is true. No one more important than John the Baptist has ever been born. But the least important person in the kingdom of heaven is more important than he is.Since the days of John the Baptist, the kingdom of heaven has been under attack. And violent people are taking hold of it.All the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John came.If you are willing to accept it, John is the Elijah who was supposed to come.Whoever has ears should listen.“ What can I compare today’s people to? They are like children sitting in the markets and calling out to others. They say,“‘ We played the flute for you. But you didn’t dance. We sang a funeral song. But you didn’t become sad.’When John came, he didn’t eat or drink as you do. And people say,‘ He has a demon.’

Annas and Caiaphas were high priests. At that time God’s word came to John, son of Zechariah, in the desert.He went into all the countryside around the Jordan River. There he preached that people should be baptized and turn away from their sins. Then God would forgive them.Here is what is written in the book of Isaiah the prophet. It says,“ A messenger is calling out in the desert,‘ Prepare the way for the Lord. Make straight paths for him.Every valley will be filled in. Every mountain and hill will be made level. The crooked roads will become straight. The rough ways will become smooth.And all people will see God’s salvation.’ ”( Isaiah 40:3–5)

John replied,“ A person can receive only what God gives them from heaven.You yourselves are witnesses that I said,‘ I am not the Messiah. I was sent ahead of him.’The bride belongs to the groom. The friend who helps the groom waits and listens for him. He is full of joy when he hears the groom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.He must become more important. I must become less important.

The Lord said to me,“ Throw those coins to the potter.” That amount shows how little they valued me! So I threw the 30 silver coins to the potter at the Lord’ s temple.