Selections From “The Gospel of the Holy Twelve” by Reverend Gideon Jasper Richard Ouseley (vegetarian) – Chapters 9–11, Part 1 of 2

Chapter 9 Fasting of Jesus. He undergoes four temptations.

“Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And the wild, creatures of the desert were around Him and became subject unto Him. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He was afterwards hungry. And when the tempter came to Him, he said, ‘If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread, for it is written, “I will feed thee with the finest of wheat […] out of the rock will I satisfy thee.”’ But He answered and said, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the Mouth of God.”’

Then the devil put before Him a woman of exceeding beauty and comeliness, and of subtle wit and a ready understanding; and he said unto Him, ‘Take her as Thou will, for her desire is unto Thee, and Thou shall have love and happiness and comfort all Thy life, and see Thy children’s children; yea is it not written, “It is not good for man that he should be alone”?’

And Jesus-Maria said, ‘Get thee behind me, for it is written, “Be not led away by the beauty of woman, yea, all flesh is as grass and the flower of the field; the grass withers and the flower fades away, but the Word of the Eternal endures forever.” My work is to teach and to heal the children of men, and he that is born of God keeps His Seed within him.’

And the devil takes Him up into the holy city, and sets Him on a pinnacle of the temple, and says unto Him, ‘If Thou be the Son of God, cast Thyself down; for it is written, “He shall give his angels charge concerning thee, and in their hands they shall bear thee up lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.”’ And Jesus said unto him, ‘“It is written again, “Thou shall not tempt the Lord thy God.”’

Then the devil took Him up into an exceeding high mountain in the midst of a great plain (and round about, twelve cities and their peoples), and from thence he showed unto Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto Him, ‘All this power will I give Thee and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me, and to whomsoever I will I give it: for it is written, “Thou shall have dominion from sea to sea, so shall Thou judge Thy people with righteousness and Thy poor with mercy, and make a full end of oppression.” If Thou therefore will worship me, all shall be Thine.’

And Jesus-Maria answered and said unto him, ‘Get thee behind me, satan; for it is written, “Thou shall worship thy God, and Him only shall Thou serve.” Without the Power of God, the end of evil cannot come.’ […]”