The Tradition of the Elders
(Matthew 15:1–9)

1The Pharisees, and certain Scribes from Jerusalem, came in a body to Jesus; 2when observing that some of his disciples were eating with profane hands, that is, without having wash'd them, they found fault. 3for the Pharisees, and the Jews in general, in pursuance of their antient traditions, never eat till they have wash'd their hands up to their elbows. 4nay, when they have been at any publick place, they never eat till they have washed, they observe besides several traditions, such as the washing of cups, pots, brass vessels, and beds. 5the Pharisees, and Scribes therefore ask'd Jesus, why don't your disciples observe the tradition of the antients? why do they take their meals without washing their hands?

6Jesus answered, to such hypocrites as you may well be applied those words of the prophet Esaias, "this people honour me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

7in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the institutions of men."

8for laying aside what is of divine appointment, you stick to their human traditions, about the washing of pots, and cups, and many other the like practices.

9You are in the right, said he, to abolish the laws of God, to make way for such traditions. 10Moses said, "honour thy father and thy mother;" and, if any one speak contemptibly of his father, or his mother, let him be put to death. 11but your doctrine is this, if any one shall tell his father or his mother, that what he could bestow for their relief, is corban, that is, to be given to the temple; 12you discharge him from the obligation of doing any thing for his father or his mother. 13by such traditions, and such a number of practices, as you have settled, the word of God is stript of all its authority.

What Defiles a Man
(Matthew 15:10–20)

14Then Jesus having called all the people to him, said, attend every one of you, and understand. 15there is nothing from without, that entring into a man can defile him: but that which originally proceeds from the man, is what defiles him. 16he that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

17When he withdrew from the people into the house, his disciples ask'd him the meaning of that maxim. 18and he said, are you likewise so void of understanding? don't you perceive that what passes from without into a man cannot defile him? 19because that does not enter into his heart, but into the belly, whence it is discharg'd, the purest part of the food being left for nutrition. 20but, said he, that which proceeds from a man, is what defiles him: 21for from within, from the heart of man proceed wicked designs, adulteries, fornications, murders; thefts, 22avarice, malice, fraud, impudence, envy, scandal, pride, vanity. 23all these vices come from within, and are what defile the man.

The Faith of the Gentile Woman
(Matthew 15:21–28)

24Jesus leaving that place, went towards the frontiers of Tyre and Sidon; and entring into a house, desired to let nobody know it; but he could not be conceal'd. 25for a woman, whose child was possess'd with an impure spirit, having heard of him, found him out, and throwing herself at his feet, 26entreated him to force the demon out of her daughter; now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation. 27Jesus therefore said to her, let the children first be satisfy'd; for it would not be decent to take the children's bread, and throw it to puppys. 28she answer'd, true, Lord, yet puppys eat of the crumbs, which children drop under the table. 29then said Jesus to her, for this expression, go thy way, the demon has left your daughter. 30accordingly she went home, where she found that the demon was indeed gone out of her daughter, and she was lying on the bed.

The Deaf and Mute Man
(Matthew 9:27–34)

31Jesus then quitting the confines of Tyre and Sidon, and passing to the confines of Decapolis, came back to the sea of Gallilee. 32and they presented to him a deaf man, that had an impediment in his speech, desiring he would lay his hands upon him. 33Jesus taking him aside from the crowd, spit upon his fingers, and applied them to the ears and to the tongue of the deaf man. 34then looking up to heaven, with a sigh, he said, Ephphata, that is, be open: 35and his Ears were instantly opened, his tongue was loosen'd, and he spoke freely. 36and Jesus charg'd them not to mention it to any one; but the more be enjoin'd them, the more they publish'd it. 37for they were transported with admiration, and said, all his actions are beneficent! he gives hearing to the deaf, and speech to the dumb.