Common English Bible

Mark 14:18-38 Common English Bible (CEB)

18. During the meal, Jesus said, "I assure you that one of you will betray me—someone eating with me."

19. Deeply saddened, they asked him, one by one, "It’s not me, is it?"

20. Jesus answered, "It’s one of the Twelve, one who is dipping bread with me into this bowl.

21. The Human One goes to his death just as it is written about him. But how terrible it is for that person who betrays the Human One! It would have been better for him if he had never been born."

22. While they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, and said, "Take; this is my body."

23. He took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it.

24. He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.

25. I assure you that I won’t drink wine again until that day when I drink it in a new way in God’s kingdom."

26. After singing songs of praise, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

27. Jesus said to them, "You will all falter in your faithfulness to me. It is written, I will hit the shepherd, and the sheep will go off in all directions.

28. But after I’m raised up, I will go before you to Galilee."

29. Peter said to him, "Even if everyone else stumbles, I won’t."

30. But Jesus said to him, "I assure you that on this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times."

31. But Peter insisted, "If I must die alongside you, I won’t deny you." And they all said the same thing.

32. Jesus and his disciples came to a place called Gethsemane. Jesus said to them, "Sit here while I pray."

33. He took Peter, James, and John along with him. He began to feel despair and was anxious.

34. He said to them, "I’m very sad. It’s as if I’m dying. Stay here and keep alert."

35. Then he went a short distance farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if possible, he might be spared the time of suffering.

36. He said, "Abba, Father, for you all things are possible. Take this cup of suffering away from me. However—not what I want but what you want."

37. He came and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you stay alert for one hour?

38. Stay alert and pray so that you won’t give in to temptation. The spirit is eager, but the flesh is weak."