Psalm 66

For the director of music. A song. A psalm.

¹² For this is what the Lord says:

Doing Good to All

6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit^(A) should restore^(B) 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.^{(C) 3} If anyone thinks they are something^(D) when they are not, they deceive themselves.^{(E) 4} Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone,^(F) without comparing themselves to someone else,^{(G) 5} for each one should carry their own load.^{(H) 6} Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.^(I)

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

Not Circumcision but the New Creation

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

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

Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two^(A)(B)(C)

10 After this the Lord^(D) appointed seventy-two^[a] others^(E) and sent them two by two^(F) ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.^{(G) 2} He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.^{(H) 3} Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.^{(I) 4} Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

⁵ “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ ⁶ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. ⁷ Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages.^(J) Do not move around from house to house.

⁸ “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you.^{(K) 9} Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God^(L) has come near to you.’ ¹⁰ But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, ¹¹ ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you.^(M) Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’^(N)

¹⁶ “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”^(A)

¹⁷ The seventy-two^(B) returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”^(C)

¹⁸ He replied, “I saw Satan^(D) fall like lightning from heaven.^{(E) 19} I have given you authority to trample on snakes^(F) and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. ²⁰ However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”^(G)