²⁰ Then Miriam^(A) the prophet,^(B) Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels^(C) and dancing.^{(D) 21} Miriam sang^(E) to them:

The Waters of Marah and Elim

²² Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert^(H) of Shur.^(I) For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water.^{(J) 23} When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.^[a](K)) ²⁴ So the people grumbled^(L) against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”^(M)

²⁵ Then Moses cried out^(N) to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw^(O) it into the water, and the water became fit to drink.

There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test.^{(P) 26} He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep^(Q) all his decrees,^(R) I will not bring on you any of the diseases^(S) I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals^(T) you.”

²⁷ Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped^(U) there near the water.

God’s Promise to David^(A)

7 After the king was settled in his palace^(B) and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies^(C) around him,^{(D) 2} he said to Nathan^(E) the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house^(F) of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”^(G)

³ Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind,^(H) go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you.”

⁴ But that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying:

¹⁷ Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation.

¹¹ For this is what the Lord says about Shallum^[a](A) son of Josiah, who succeeded his father as king of Judah but has gone from this place: “He will never return. ¹² He will die^(B) in the place where they have led him captive; he will not see this land again.”

¹⁸ Therefore this is what the Lord says about Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah:

Psalm 37^[a]

Of David.

A Prophet Without Honor^(A)

6 Jesus left there and went to his hometown,^(B) accompanied by his disciples. ² When the Sabbath came,^(C) he began to teach in the synagogue,^(D) and many who heard him were amazed.^(E)

“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? ³ Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph,^[a] Judas and Simon?^(F) Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.^(G)

⁴ Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.”^{(H) 5} He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on^(I) a few sick people and heal them. ⁶ He was amazed at their lack of faith.

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve^(J)

Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village.^{(K) 7} Calling the Twelve to him,^(L) he began to send them out two by two^(M) and gave them authority over impure spirits.^(N)

⁸ These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. ⁹ Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. ¹⁰ Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. ¹¹ And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet^(O) as a testimony against them.”

¹² They went out and preached that people should repent.^{(P) 13} They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil^(Q) and healed them.

¹¹ Anyone who welcomes them shares^(A) in their wicked work.

¹² I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face,^(B) so that our joy may be complete.^(C)

¹³ The children of your sister, who is chosen by God,^(D) send their greetings.