BOOK III

Psalms 73–89

Psalm 73

A psalm of Asaph.

The Branch of the Lord

² In that day^(A) the Branch of the Lord^(B) will be beautiful^(C) and glorious, and the fruit^(D) of the land will be the pride and glory^(E) of the survivors^(F) in Israel. ³ Those who are left in Zion,^(G) who remain^(H) in Jerusalem, will be called holy,^(I) all who are recorded^(J) among the living in Jerusalem. ⁴ The Lord will wash away the filth^(K) of the women of Zion;^(L) he will cleanse^(M) the bloodstains^(N) from Jerusalem by a spirit^[a] of judgment^(O) and a spirit^[b] of fire.^{(P) 5} Then the Lord will create^(Q) over all of Mount Zion^(R) and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night;^(S) over everything the glory^[c](T) will be a canopy.^{(U) 6} It will be a shelter^(V) and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge^(W) and hiding place from the storm^(X) and rain.

Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ

4 As a prisoner^(A) for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy^(B) of the calling^(C) you have received. ² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another^(D) in love.^{(E) 3} Make every effort to keep the unity^(F) of the Spirit through the bond of peace.^{(G) 4} There is one body^(H) and one Spirit,^(I) just as you were called to one hope when you were called^(J); ⁵ one Lord,^(K) one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all,^(L) who is over all and through all and in all.^(M)

⁷ But to each one of us^(N) grace^(O) has been given^(P) as Christ apportioned it. ⁸ This is why it^[a] says:

⁹ (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions^[c]? ¹⁰ He who descended is the very one who ascended^(S) higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)^{(T) 11} So Christ himself gave^(U) the apostles,^(V) the prophets,^(W) the evangelists,^(X) the pastors and teachers,^{(Y) 12} to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ^(Z) may be built up^{(AA) 13} until we all reach unity^(AB) in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God^(AC) and become mature,^(AD) attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.^(AE)

¹⁴ Then we will no longer be infants,^(AF) tossed back and forth by the waves,^(AG) and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.^{(AH) 15} Instead, speaking the truth in love,^(AI) we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head,^(AJ) that is, Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows^(AK) and builds itself up^(AL) in love,^(AM) as each part does its work.

Jesus Restores Two Demon-Possessed Men^(A)

²⁸ When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes,^[a] two demon-possessed^(B) men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. ²⁹ “What do you want with us,^(C) Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”^(D)

³⁰ Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. ³¹ The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”

³² He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. ³³ Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. ³⁴ Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.^(E)