1 They came close to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives. He appointed two of his disciples to

2 go into the village that is nearby. »As soon as you enter it you will find a colt tied there. No man has ever sat on that colt. Untie him and bring him.

3 »If any one questions why you do this say: ‘The Lord has need of him.’ Immediately he will send it here.«

4 They found a colt tied at the door in the open street and they untied it.

5 Those who stood there asked why are you untying the colt?

6 They told them what Jesus said and they let them go.

7 The colt was brought to Jesus. They laid their garments on him and Jesus sat on him.

8 Many spread their garments along the way. Others spread branches, which they cut from the fields.

9 Those who led the way and those who followed cried: »Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in Jehovah’s name!

10 »Blessed is the coming kingdom, the kingdom of our father David. Hosanna in the highest!«

11 He entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. When evening came he went with the twelve to Bethany.’

12 The next day they left Bethany. He was hungry.

13 He saw a fig tree far off. When he got closer he found nothing but leaves for it was not the season of figs.

14 He spoke about the tree that no man would ever eat fruit from it from that day forward.

15 When in Jerusalem he entered the temple and turned over the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of the people who sold doves.

16 He would not allow any man to carry merchandise through the temple.

17 When he taught, he said: »Is it not written, my house shall 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. They feared him because the crowd was astonished at his teaching.

19 And every evening he left the city.

20 They passed by in the morning and saw the fig tree withered away from the roots.

21 Peter remembered and said: »Teacher look, the fig tree that you cursed is withered away.«

22 Jesus answered: »Have faith in God.

23 »Truly I say faithful ones shall say to this mountain, be cast into the sea and it will happen. There must be no doubt in his heart and he must believe that what he says will come to pass.

24 »I tell you, believe that you receive what you pray for and you shall have it.

25 »When you say a prayer have forgiveness in your heart. Forgive anything you have against anyone so that your Heavenly Father will forgive you your sins.«

26 omitted text

27 Chief priests and scribes approached him at the Temple in Jerusalem.

28 They said to him: »By what authority do you do these things? Or who gave you authority to do these things?«

29 Jesus said: »I will ask you one question. Give me an answer, and I will say by what authority I do these things.«

30 »The baptism of John was it from heaven or from men?« Give me an answer.

31 They thought about it among themselves saying: »If we say from heaven he will say why did you not have faith in him?«

32 They feared the people. »If we say from men the people would not like it because they all thought John was a true prophet.«

33 They told Jesus« »We have no idea.« Jesus said to them: »I should not say to you by what authority I do these things.«