The need for tauba
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At that time some people came and reported to 'Īsā about the Galileansa whose blood Pilateb had mixed with their sacrifices.c 2 'Īsā replied, ‘Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you! But unless you repent,d you will all be destroyed as they were. 4 Or what about those eighteen who were killed when the tower in Siloame fell on them? Do you think they were more guilty than everyone else living in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you! But unless you repent, you will all be destroyed as they were.’6 Then 'Īsā told this parable: ‘There was a man who had a fig tree planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it but didn't find any. 7 He said to the gardener, “Look, for three years now I've come looking for fruit on this fig tree and I haven't found any. Dig it out. Why should it use up the ground?”
8 'The gardener replied, “Sir, leave it for another year. I'll dig round it and put down manure. 9 Then it may bear fruit next year. But if it doesn't, dig it out.”’f
Al-Masīh 'Īsā (hpbuu) heals again on the Sabbath
10 On a Sabbath 'Īsā was teaching in one of the synagogues. 11 A woman was there with a spirit of weakness that had caused her to be crippled for eighteen years. She was bent over and was unable to straighten up at all. 12 When 'Īsā saw her, he called her over and said to her, ‘Sister,g you are set free from your condition.’ 13 And he placed his hands on her, and at once she was able to stand up straight again, and she praised Allah.
14 The synagogue leader was angry that 'Īsā had healed on the Sabbath. He said to the people, ‘There are six days when you should work. Come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath!’
15 The Lord replied to him, ‘You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath release your ox or donkey from its stall and lead it out to get water? 16 This daughter of Ibrāhīm has been bound by the Shaytan for eighteen long years. Should she not be released on the Sabbath day from what bound her?’
17 When 'Īsā said this, all who had opposed him were put to shame, while the whole crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things he was doing.
The kingdom of Allah is like a mustard seed and like yeast
18 Then 'Īsā said, ‘What is the kingdom of Allahh like? What can I compare it to? 19 It's like a mustard seed, which somebody took and planted in their garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds roosted in its branches.’
20 Again he said, ‘What can I compare the kingdom of Allah to? 21 It's like yeast, which a woman took and mixed in with about thirty kilograms of flour until it was spread all through the dough.’
Are there only a few people who will be saved?’
22 Now 'Īsā passed through towns and villages, teaching as he continued his journey towards Jerusalem. 23 Someone said to him, ‘Master, will only a few people be saved?’i
'Īsā answered them, 24 ‘Strive hard to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter but won't be able to. 25 When the owner of the house gets up and shuts the door, you will stand outside and knock, saying, “Lord, open the door for us!”
'But he will answer you, “I don't know you or where you're from.”
26 'Then you will begin to say, “We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.”
27 But he will say to you, “I don't know you or where you're from. Go away from me, all you evildoers.”
28 'There will be weeping and grinding of teeth there, when you see Ibrāhīm, Ishāq and Ya'qūb and all the prophets in the kingdom of Allah, but you yourselves thrown outside. 29 People will come from east and west and from north and south, and they will eat at the feast in the kingdom of Allah.j 30 Yes, there are those who are last who will be first, and those who are first who will be last.’
'Īsā al-Masīh's sorrow over Jerusalem
31 Just then some Pharisees came to 'Īsā and said, ‘Leave here and go somewhere else, because Herodk wants to kill you.’
32 'Īsā said to them, ‘Go and tell that fox, “See, I am casting out jinnl and healing the sick today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will complete my work.” 33 In any case, I must keep going today, tomorrow and the day after – for a prophet cannot die outside Jerusalem!m
34 ‘Jerusalem! Jerusalem! You kill the prophets and stone those sent to you. How many times have I wanted to gather your children together, like a bird gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. 35 Look, your housen is abandoned. I tell you, you will certainly not see me until you say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”o’