Holy Bible: Easy-To-Read Version

Matthew 26:32-49 Holy Bible: Easy-To-Read Version (ETR)

32. But after I am killed, I will rise from death. Then I will go into Galilee. I will be there before you go there.”

33. Peter answered, “All the other followers may lose their faith in you. But my faith will never be shaken.”

34. Jesus answered, “The truth is, tonight you will say you don’t know me. You will deny me three times before the rooster crows.”

35. But Peter answered, “I will never say I don’t know you! I will even die with you!” And all the other followers said the same thing.

36. Then Jesus went with his followers to a place called Gethsemane. He said to them, “Sit here while I go there and pray.”

37. He told Peter and the two sons of Zebedee to come with him. Then he began to be very sad and troubled.

38. Jesus said to Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, “My heart is so heavy with grief, I feel as if I am dying. Wait here and stay awake with me.”

39. Then Jesus went on a little farther away from them. He fell to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, don’t make me drink from this cup. But do what you want, not what I want.”

40. Then he went back to his followers and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “Could you men not stay awake with me for one hour?

41. Stay awake and pray for strength against temptation. Your spirit wants to do what is right, but your body is weak.”

42. Then Jesus went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if I must do this and it is not possible for me to escape it, then I pray that what you want will be done.”

43. Then he went back to the followers. Again he found them sleeping. They could not stay awake.

44. So he left them and went away one more time and prayed. This third time he prayed, he said the same thing.

45. Then Jesus went back to the followers and said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? The time has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to the control of sinful men.

46. Stand up! We must go. Here comes the one who will hand me over.”

47. While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve apostles came there. He had a big crowd of people with him, all carrying swords and clubs. They had been sent from the leading priests and the older leaders of the people.

48. Judas planned to do something to show them which one was Jesus. He said, “The one I kiss will be Jesus. Arrest him.”

49. So he went to Jesus and said, “Hello, Teacher!” Then Judas kissed him.