1 They came to Bethphage and Bethany, near Jerusalem by the hill called Olives. Then he sent two of his disciples ahead.

2 He said, Go into the village in front of you. As soon as you go in, you will find an animal tied. No one has ever sat on it. Untie it and bring it to me.

3 If anyone asks you, "Why are you doing this?" tell him, "The Lord needs it. He will send it back soon."

4 The disciples went. They found the animal tied outside a door in the street. They untied it.

5 People standing there said, What are you doing, untying the animal?

6 The disciples said what Jesus had told them to say. So they let them go.

7 They brought it to Jesus and laid their coats on it. He got on it.

8 Many people spread their coats on the road. Others cut leaves and branches from the fields and put them on the road.

9 People in front of him and people behind him shouted, Praise God! God bless him who comes in the name of the Lord!

10 God bless the kingdom of our father David which is coming. Praise him in heaven!

11 And so Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. He looked at everything. Then he went out with the twelve disciples to Bethany. It was late already.