Chapter 28

   After the Sabbath, in the early dawn of the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala and the other Mary came to see the sepulchre.  

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   But to their amazement there had been a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord had descended from Heaven, and had come and rolled back the stone, and was sitting upon it.  

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   His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.  

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   For fear of him the guards trembled violently, and became like dead men.  

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   But the angel said to the women, 'As for you, dismiss your fears. I know that it is Jesus that you are looking for--the crucified One.  

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   He is not here: He has come back to life, as He foretold. Come and see the place where He lay.  

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   And go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead and is going before you into Galilee: there you shall see Him. Remember, I have told you.'  

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   They quickly left the tomb and ran, still terrified but full of unspeakable joy, to carry the news to His disciples.  

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   And then suddenly they saw Jesus coming to meet them. 'Peace be to you,' He said. And they came and clasped His feet, bowing to the ground before Him.  

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   Then He said, 'Dismiss all fear! Go and take word to my brethren to go into Galilee, and there they shall see me.'  

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   While they went on this errand, some of the guards came into the city and reported to the High Priests every detail of what had happened.  

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   So the latter held a conference with the Elders, and after consultation with them they heavily bribed the soldiers,  

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   telling them to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole his body while we were asleep.'  

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   'And if this,' they added, 'is reported to the Governor, we will satisfy him and screen you from punishment.'  

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   So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this story was noised about among the Jews, and is current to this day.  

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   As for the eleven disciples, they proceeded into Galilee, to the hill where Jesus had arranged to meet them.  

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   There they saw Him and prostrated themselves before Him. Yet some doubted.  

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   Jesus however came near and said to them, 'All power in Heaven and over the earth has been given to me.  

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   Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations; baptize them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit;  

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   and teach them to obey every command which I have given you. And remember, I am with you always, day by day, until the Close of the Age.'  

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