Matthew 28

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There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.

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

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The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

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The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.

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He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

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Then go quickly and tell his disciples: `He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

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So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

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Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.

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Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

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While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.

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When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money,

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telling them, "You are to say, `His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.'

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If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble."

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So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

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Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.

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When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.

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Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

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Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

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and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."