Psalm 70^[a](A)

For the director of music. Of David. A petition.

²² Therefore this is what the Lord, who redeemed^(S) Abraham,^(T) says to the descendants of Jacob:

Psalm 146

⁴ Such confidence^(A) we have through Christ before God. ⁵ Not that we are competent in ourselves^(B) to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.^{(C) 6} He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant^(D)—not of the letter^(E) but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.^(F)

The Greater Glory of the New Covenant

⁷ Now if the ministry that brought death,^(G) which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory,^(H) transitory though it was, ⁸ will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? ⁹ If the ministry that brought condemnation^(I) was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!^{(J) 10} For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. ¹¹ And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

⁹ If you declare^(A) with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,”^(B) and believe^(C) in your heart that God raised him from the dead,^(D) you will be saved.^{(E) 10} For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. ¹¹ As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”^{[a](F) 12} For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile^(G)—the same Lord is Lord of all^(H) and richly blesses all who call on him, ¹³ for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord^(I) will be saved.”^[b](J)

¹⁴ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? ¹⁵ And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”^[c](K)

¹⁶ But not all the Israelites accepted the good news.^(L) For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”^[d](M)

Jesus Heals a Deaf and Mute Man^(A)

³¹ Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre^(B) and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee^(C) and into the region of the Decapolis.^{[a](D) 32} There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk,^(E) and they begged Jesus to place his hand on^(F) him.

³³ After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit^(G) and touched the man’s tongue. ³⁴ He looked up to heaven^(H) and with a deep sigh^(I) said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). ³⁵ At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.^(J)

³⁶ Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone.^(K) But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. ³⁷ People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”