2. At that time there was a strong earthquake. An angel of the Lord came down from heaven. The angel went to the tomb and rolled the stone away from the entrance. Then he sat on the stone.
3. He was shining as bright as lightning. His clothes were white as snow.
4. The soldiers guarding the tomb were very frightened of the angel. They shook with fear and then became like dead men.
5. The angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus, the one who was killed on the cross.
6. But he is not here. He has risen from death as he said he would. Come and see the place where his body was.
7. And go quickly and tell his followers. Say to them: ‘Jesus has risen from death. He is going into Galilee. He will be there before you. You will see him there.’” Then the angel said, “Now I have told you.”
8. The women left the tomb quickly. They were afraid, but they were also very happy. They ran to tell Jesus’ followers what had happened.
9. Suddenly, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings.” The women came up to Jesus, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.
10. Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go on to Galilee. They will see me there.”
11. The women went to tell Jesus’ followers. At the same time, some of the soldiers who had been guarding the tomb went into the city. They went to tell the leading priests everything that had happened.
12. Then the priests met with the Jewish elders and made a plan. They paid the soldiers a large amount of money.
13. They said to the soldiers, “Tell the people that Jesus’ followers came during the night and stole the body while you were asleep.