Jesus Announces the Good News^(A)

¹⁴ After John^(B) was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee,^(C) proclaiming the good news of God.^{(D) 15} “The time has come,”^(E) he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe^(F) the good news!”^(G)

⁴³ But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God^(A) to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” ⁴⁴ And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.^(B)

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy^(A)

¹² While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy.^[a](B) When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

¹³ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.

¹⁴ Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone,^(C) but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded^(D) for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”

Timothy Joins Paul and Silas

16 Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra,^(A) where a disciple named Timothy^(B) lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer^(C) but whose father was a Greek. ² The believers^(D) at Lystra and Iconium^(E) spoke well of him. ³ Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.^(F)

³¹ He proclaimed the kingdom of God^(A) and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness^(B) and without hindrance!

²¹ Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. ²² For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person;^(A) similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.^{(B) 23} You were bought at a price;^(C) do not become slaves of human beings. ²⁴ Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.^(D)

⁶ For in Christ Jesus^(A) neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value.^(B) The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.^(C)

¹⁵ Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything;^(A) what counts is the new creation.^(B)

⁵ Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect^(A) and fear, and with sincerity of heart,^(B) just as you would obey Christ.^{(C) 6} Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ,^(D) doing the will of God from your heart. ⁷ Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,^{(E) 8} because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do,^(F) whether they are slave or free.

⁹ And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours^(G) is in heaven, and there is no favoritism^(H) with him.