The Parable of the Sower^(A)

8 After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.^(B) The Twelve were with him, ² and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene)^(C) from whom seven demons had come out; ³ Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s^(D) household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

⁴ While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: ⁵ “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. ⁶ Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”

When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”^(E)

⁹ His disciples asked him what this parable meant. ¹⁰ He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you,^(F) but to others I speak in parables, so that,

¹¹ “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.^{(H) 12} Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. ¹³ Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.^{(I) 14} The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches^(J) and pleasures, and they do not mature. ¹⁵ But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

A Lamp on a Stand

¹⁶ “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.^{(K) 17} For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.^{(L) 18} Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”^(M)

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers^(N)

¹⁹ Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. ²⁰ Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers^(O) are standing outside, wanting to see you.”

²¹ He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”^(P)

Jesus Calms the Storm^(Q)(R)

²² One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. ²³ As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

²⁴ The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master,^(S) we’re going to drown!”

He got up and rebuked^(T) the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.^{(U) 25} “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.

In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed Man^(V)(W)

²⁶ They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes,^[b] which is across the lake from Galilee. ²⁷ When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. ²⁸ When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me,^(X) Jesus, Son of the Most High God?^(Y) I beg you, don’t torture me!” ²⁹ For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.

³⁰ Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”

“Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. ³¹ And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.^(Z)

³² A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. ³³ When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake^(AA) and was drowned.

³⁴ When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, ³⁵ and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet,^(AB) dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. ³⁶ Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed^(AC) man had been cured. ³⁷ Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them,^(AD) because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.

³⁸ The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, ³⁹ “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.

Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman^(AE)

⁴⁰ Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. ⁴¹ Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader,^(AF) came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house ⁴² because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.

As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. ⁴³ And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding^(AG) for twelve years,^[c] but no one could heal her. ⁴⁴ She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak,^(AH) and immediately her bleeding stopped.

⁴⁵ “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.

When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master,^(AI) the people are crowding and pressing against you.”

⁴⁶ But Jesus said, “Someone touched me;^(AJ) I know that power has gone out from me.”^(AK)

⁴⁷ Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. ⁴⁸ Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you.^(AL) Go in peace.”^(AM)

⁴⁹ While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader.^(AN) “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.”

⁵⁰ Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”

⁵¹ When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James,^(AO) and the child’s father and mother. ⁵² Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning^(AP) for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.”^(AQ)

⁵³ They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. ⁵⁴ But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!”^{(AR) 55} Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. ⁵⁶ Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.^(AS)

4 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. ² The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. ³ So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery^(A) under the elemental spiritual forces^[a] of the world.^{(B) 4} But when the set time had fully come,^(C) God sent his Son,^(D) born of a woman,^(E) born under the law,^{(F) 5} to redeem^(G) those under the law, that we might receive adoption^(H) to sonship.^{[b](I) 6} Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son^(J) into our hearts,^(K) the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,^[c] Father.”^{(L) 7} So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.^(M)

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

⁸ Formerly, when you did not know God,^(N) you were slaves^(O) to those who by nature are not gods.^{(P) 9} But now that you know God—or rather are known by God^(Q)—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces^[d]? Do you wish to be enslaved^(R) by them all over again?^{(S) 10} You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!^{(T) 11} I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.^(U)

¹² I plead with you, brothers and sisters,^(V) become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. ¹³ As you know, it was because of an illness^(W) that I first preached the gospel to you, ¹⁴ and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.^{(X) 15} Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶ Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?^(Y)

¹⁷ Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them.^{(Z) 18} It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you.^{(AA) 19} My dear children,^(AB) for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,^{(AC) 20} how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!

Hagar and Sarah

²¹ Tell me, you who want to be under the law,^(AD) are you not aware of what the law says? ²² For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman^(AE) and the other by the free woman.^{(AF) 23} His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh,^(AG) but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise.^(AH)

²⁴ These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. ²⁵ Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. ²⁶ But the Jerusalem that is above^(AI) is free, and she is our mother. ²⁷ For it is written:

²⁸ Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise.^{(AK) 29} At that time the son born according to the flesh^(AL) persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit.^(AM) It is the same now. ³⁰ But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”^{[f](AN) 31} Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman,^(AO) but of the free woman.^(AP)

Freedom in Christ

5 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.^(AQ) Stand firm,^(AR) then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.^(AS)

² Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised,^(AT) Christ will be of no value to you at all. ³ Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.^{(AU) 4} You who are trying to be justified by the law^(AV) have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.^{(AW) 5} For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.^{(AX) 6} For in Christ Jesus^(AY) neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value.^(AZ) The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.^(BA)

⁷ You were running a good race.^(BB) Who cut in on you^(BC) to keep you from obeying the truth? ⁸ That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.^{(BD) 9} “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”^{(BE) 10} I am confident^(BF) in the Lord that you will take no other view.^(BG) The one who is throwing you into confusion,^(BH) whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. ¹¹ Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted?^(BI) In that case the offense^(BJ) of the cross has been abolished. ¹² As for those agitators,^(BK) I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

Life by the Spirit

¹³ You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.^(BL) But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh^[g];^(BM) rather, serve one another^(BN) humbly in love. ¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”^{[h](BO) 15} If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit,^(BP) and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.^{(BQ) 17} For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.^(BR) They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever^[i] you want.^{(BS) 18} But if you are led by the Spirit,^(BT) you are not under the law.^(BU)

¹⁹ The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality,^(BV) impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹ and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.^(BW) I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.^(BX)

²² But the fruit^(BY) of the Spirit is love,^(BZ) joy, peace,^(CA) forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control.^(CB) Against such things there is no law.^{(CC) 24} Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh^(CD) with its passions and desires.^{(CE) 25} Since we live by the Spirit,^(CF) let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited,^(CG) provoking and envying each other.

Doing Good to All

6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit^(CH) should restore^(CI) that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. ² Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.^{(CJ) 3} If anyone thinks they are something^(CK) when they are not, they deceive themselves.^{(CL) 4} Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone,^(CM) without comparing themselves to someone else,^{(CN) 5} for each one should carry their own load.^{(CO) 6} Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.^(CP)

⁷ Do not be deceived:^(CQ) God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.^{(CR) 8} Whoever sows to please their flesh,^(CS) from the flesh will reap destruction;^(CT) whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.^{(CU) 9} Let us not become weary in doing good,^(CV) for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.^{(CW) 10} Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good^(CX) to all people, especially to those who belong to the family^(CY) of believers.

Not Circumcision but the New Creation

¹¹ See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!^(CZ)

¹² Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh^(DA) are trying to compel you to be circumcised.^(DB) The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted^(DC) for the cross of Christ. ¹³ Not even those who are circumcised keep the law,^(DD) yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.^{(DE) 14} May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,^(DF) through which^[j] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.^{(DG) 15} Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything;^(DH) what counts is the new creation.^{(DI) 16} Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to^[k] the Israel of God.

¹⁷ From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks^(DJ) of Jesus.

¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ^(DK) be with your spirit,^(DL) brothers and sisters. Amen.