¹⁷ For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking,^(A) but of righteousness, peace^(B) and joy in the Holy Spirit,^{(C) 18} because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.^(D)

³ He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?^{(A) 4} He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests.^{(B) 5} Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath^(C) and yet are innocent?

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers^(A)

⁴⁶ While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother^(B) and brothers^(C) stood outside, wanting to speak to him. ⁴⁷ Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”

⁴⁸ He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” ⁴⁹ Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. ⁵⁰ For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven^(D) is my brother and sister and mother.”

²³ Yet a time is coming and has now come^(A) when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit^(B) and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.

¹² My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.^(A)