[1] When they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethsphage and Bethany, at the
Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, [2] and said to them, "Go
your way into the village that is opposite you. Immediately as you enter
into it, you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Untie him, and
bring him. [3] If anyone asks you, `Why are you doing this?` say, `The Lord
needs him;` and immediately he will send him back here." [4] They went
away, and found a colt tied at the door outside in the open street, and
they untied him. [5] Some of those who stood there asked them, "What are
you doing, untying the colt?" [6] They said to them just as Jesus had said,
and they let them go. [7] They brought the colt to Jesus, and threw their
garments on him, and Jesus sat on him. [8] Many spread their garments on
the way, and others were cutting down branches from the trees, and
spreading them on the road. [9] Those who went in front, and those who
followed, cried, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
[10] Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming in the name
of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" [11] Jesus entered into the temple in
Jerusalem. When he had looked around at everything, it being now evening,
he went out to Bethany with the twelve. [12] The next day, when they had
come out from Bethany, he was hungry. [13] Seeing a fig tree afar off
having leaves, he came to see if perhaps he might find anything on it. When
he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for
figs. [14] Jesus told it, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again!" and
his disciples heard it. [15] They came to Jerusalem, and Jesus entered into
the temple, and began to throw out those who sold and those who bought in
the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats
of those who sold the doves. [16] He would not allow anyone to carry a
container through the temple. [17] He taught, saying to them, "Isn`t it
written, `My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations?`
But you have made it a den of robbers!" [18] The chief priests and the
scribes heard it, and sought how they might destroy him. For they feared
him, for all the multitude was astonished at his teaching. [19] When
evening came, he went forth out of the city. [20] As they passed by in the
morning, they saw the fig tree withered away from the roots. [21] Peter,
remembering, said to him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree which you cursed has
withered away." [22] Jesus answering said to them, "Have faith in God. [23]
For most assuredly I tell you, whoever may tell this mountain, `Be taken up
and cast into the sea,` and doesn`t doubt in his heart, but believes that
what he says happens; he shall have whatever he says. [24] Therefore I tell
you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you receive
them, and you shall have them. [25] Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if
you have anything against anyone; so that your Father, who is in heaven,
may also forgive you your transgressions. [26] But if you do not forgive,
neither will your Father in heaven forgive your transgressions." [27] They
came again to Jerusalem, and as he was walking in the temple, the chief
priests, and the scribes, and the elders came to him, [28] and they were
asking him, "By what authority do you these things? Or who gave you this
authority to do these things?" [29] Jesus said to them, "I will ask you one
question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these
things. [30] The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men? Answer
me." [31] They reasoned with themselves, saying, "If we should say, `From
heaven;` he will say, `Why then did you not believe him?` [32] If we should
say, `From men`"--they feared the people, for all held John to really be a
prophet. [33] They answered Jesus, "We don`t know." Jesus said to them,
"Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things."
