Gifts for Building the Temple

29 Then King David said to the whole assembly: “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced.^(A) The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the Lord God. ² With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God—gold^(B) for the gold work, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise,^[a](C) stones of various colors, and all kinds of fine stone and marble—all of these in large quantities.^{(D) 3} Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided^(E) for this holy temple: ⁴ three thousand talents^[b] of gold (gold of Ophir)^(F) and seven thousand talents^[c] of refined silver,^(G) for the overlaying of the walls of the buildings, ⁵ for the gold work and the silver work, and for all the work to be done by the craftsmen. Now, who is willing to consecrate themselves to the Lord today?”

⁶ Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials^(H) in charge of the king’s work gave willingly.^{(I) 7} They^(J) gave toward the work on the temple of God five thousand talents^[d] and ten thousand darics^[e] of gold, ten thousand talents^[f] of silver, eighteen thousand talents^[g] of bronze and a hundred thousand talents^[h] of iron. ⁸ Anyone who had precious stones^(K) gave them to the treasury of the temple of the Lord in the custody of Jehiel the Gershonite.^{(L) 9} The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly^(M) to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.

David’s Prayer

¹⁰ David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying,

¹⁴ “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this?^(S) Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.^{(T) 15} We are foreigners and strangers^(U) in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow,^(V) without hope. ¹⁶ Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. ¹⁷ I know, my God, that you test the heart^(W) and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.^{(X) 18} Lord, the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep these desires and thoughts in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you. ¹⁹ And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion^(Y) to keep your commands, statutes and decrees^(Z) and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided.”^(AA)

²⁰ Then David said to the whole assembly, “Praise the Lord your God.” So they all praised the Lord, the God of their fathers; they bowed down, prostrating themselves before the Lord and the king.

Solomon Acknowledged as King^(AB)

²¹ The next day they made sacrifices to the Lord and presented burnt offerings to him:^(AC) a thousand bulls, a thousand rams and a thousand male lambs, together with their drink offerings, and other sacrifices in abundance for all Israel.^{(AD) 22} They ate and drank with great joy^(AE) in the presence of the Lord that day.

Then they acknowledged Solomon son of David as king a second time, anointing him before the Lord to be ruler and Zadok^(AF) to be priest. ²³ So Solomon sat^(AG) on the throne^(AH) of the Lord as king in place of his father David. He prospered and all Israel obeyed him. ²⁴ All the officers and warriors, as well as all of King David’s sons,^(AI) pledged their submission to King Solomon.

²⁵ The Lord highly exalted^(AJ) Solomon in the sight of all Israel and bestowed on him royal splendor^(AK) such as no king over Israel ever had before.^(AL)

The Death of David^(AM)

²⁶ David son of Jesse was king^(AN) over all Israel.^{(AO) 27} He ruled over Israel forty years—seven in Hebron^(AP) and thirty-three in Jerusalem.^{(AQ) 28} He died^(AR) at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth and honor. His son Solomon succeeded him as king.^(AS)

²⁹ As for the events of King David’s reign, from beginning to end, they are written in the records of Samuel the seer,^(AT) the records of Nathan^(AU) the prophet and the records of Gad^(AV) the seer, ³⁰ together with the details of his reign and power, and the circumstances that surrounded him and Israel and the kingdoms of all the other lands.

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,^(A)

To God’s elect,^(B) exiles^(C) scattered^(D) throughout the provinces of Pontus,^(E) Galatia,^(F) Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,^{(G) 2} who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge^(H) of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit,^(I) to be obedient^(J) to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:^(K)

Grace and peace be yours in abundance.^(L)

Praise to God for a Living Hope

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!^(M) In his great mercy^(N) he has given us new birth^(O) into a living hope^(P) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,^{(Q) 4} and into an inheritance^(R) that can never perish, spoil or fade.^(S) This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,^{(T) 5} who through faith are shielded by God’s power^(U) until the coming of the salvation^(V) that is ready to be revealed^(W) in the last time. ⁶ In all this you greatly rejoice,^(X) though now for a little while^(Y) you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.^{(Z) 7} These have come so that the proven genuineness^(AA) of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire^(AB)—may result in praise, glory and honor^(AC) when Jesus Christ is revealed.^{(AD) 8} Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him^(AE) and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹ for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.^(AF)

¹⁰ Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke^(AG) of the grace that was to come to you,^(AH) searched intently and with the greatest care,^{(AI) 11} trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ^(AJ) in them was pointing when he predicted^(AK) the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. ¹² It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you,^(AL) when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you^(AM) by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.^(AN) Even angels long to look into these things.

Be Holy

¹³ Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober,^(AO) set your hope^(AP) on the grace to be brought to you^(AQ) when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.^{(AR) 14} As obedient^(AS) children, do not conform^(AT) to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.^{(AU) 15} But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;^{(AV) 16} for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”^[a](AW)

¹⁷ Since you call on a Father^(AX) who judges each person’s work^(AY) impartially,^(AZ) live out your time as foreigners^(BA) here in reverent fear.^{(BB) 18} For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed^(BC) from the empty way of life^(BD) handed down to you from your ancestors, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood^(BE) of Christ, a lamb^(BF) without blemish or defect.^{(BG) 20} He was chosen before the creation of the world,^(BH) but was revealed in these last times^(BI) for your sake. ²¹ Through him you believe in God,^(BJ) who raised him from the dead^(BK) and glorified him,^(BL) and so your faith and hope^(BM) are in God.

²² Now that you have purified^(BN) yourselves by obeying^(BO) the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply,^(BP) from the heart.^{[b] 23} For you have been born again,^(BQ) not of perishable seed, but of imperishable,^(BR) through the living and enduring word of God.^{(BS) 24} For,

And this is the word that was preached to you.

2 Therefore, rid yourselves^(BU) of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander^(BV) of every kind. ² Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk,^(BW) so that by it you may grow up^(BX) in your salvation, ³ now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.^(BY)

The Living Stone and a Chosen People

⁴ As you come to him, the living Stone^(BZ)—rejected by humans but chosen by God^(CA) and precious to him— ⁵ you also, like living stones, are being built^(CB) into a spiritual house^[d](CC) to be a holy priesthood,^(CD) offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.^{(CE) 6} For in Scripture it says:

⁷ Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,^(CH)

⁸ and,

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.^(CL)

⁹ But you are a chosen people,^(CM) a royal priesthood,^(CN) a holy nation,^(CO) God’s special possession,^(CP) that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.^{(CQ) 10} Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God;^(CR) once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society

¹¹ Dear friends,^(CS) I urge you, as foreigners and exiles,^(CT) to abstain from sinful desires,^(CU) which wage war against your soul.^{(CV) 12} Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds^(CW) and glorify God^(CX) on the day he visits us.

¹³ Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority:^(CY) whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, ¹⁴ or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong^(CZ) and to commend those who do right.^{(DA) 15} For it is God’s will^(DB) that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.^{(DC) 16} Live as free people,^(DD) but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil;^(DE) live as God’s slaves.^{(DF) 17} Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers,^(DG) fear God, honor the emperor.^(DH)

¹⁸ Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters,^(DI) not only to those who are good and considerate,^(DJ) but also to those who are harsh. ¹⁹ For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.^{(DK) 20} But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.^{(DL) 21} To this^(DM) you were called,^(DN) because Christ suffered for you,^(DO) leaving you an example,^(DP) that you should follow in his steps.

²³ When they hurled their insults at him,^(DS) he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.^(DT) Instead, he entrusted himself^(DU) to him who judges justly.^{(DV) 24} “He himself bore our sins”^(DW) in his body on the cross,^(DX) so that we might die to sins^(DY) and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”^{(DZ) 25} For “you were like sheep going astray,”^[i](EA) but now you have returned to the Shepherd^(EB) and Overseer of your souls.^(EC)

Leaders and Prophets Rebuked

3 Then I said,

⁵ This is what the Lord says:

The Parable of the Sower^(A)

8 After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.^(B) The Twelve were with him, ² and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene)^(C) from whom seven demons had come out; ³ Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s^(D) household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

⁴ While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: ⁵ “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. ⁶ Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”

When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”^(E)

⁹ His disciples asked him what this parable meant. ¹⁰ He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you,^(F) but to others I speak in parables, so that,

¹¹ “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.^{(H) 12} Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. ¹³ Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.^{(I) 14} The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches^(J) and pleasures, and they do not mature. ¹⁵ But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

A Lamp on a Stand

¹⁶ “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.^{(K) 17} For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.^{(L) 18} Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”^(M)

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers^(N)

¹⁹ Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. ²⁰ Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers^(O) are standing outside, wanting to see you.”

²¹ He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”^(P)

Jesus Calms the Storm^(Q)(R)

²² One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. ²³ As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

²⁴ The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master,^(S) we’re going to drown!”

He got up and rebuked^(T) the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.^{(U) 25} “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.

In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed Man^(V)(W)

²⁶ They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes,^[b] which is across the lake from Galilee. ²⁷ When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. ²⁸ When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me,^(X) Jesus, Son of the Most High God?^(Y) I beg you, don’t torture me!” ²⁹ For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.

³⁰ Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”

“Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. ³¹ And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.^(Z)

³² A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. ³³ When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake^(AA) and was drowned.

³⁴ When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, ³⁵ and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet,^(AB) dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. ³⁶ Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed^(AC) man had been cured. ³⁷ Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them,^(AD) because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.

³⁸ The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, ³⁹ “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.

Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman^(AE)

⁴⁰ Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. ⁴¹ Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader,^(AF) came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house ⁴² because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.

As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. ⁴³ And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding^(AG) for twelve years,^[c] but no one could heal her. ⁴⁴ She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak,^(AH) and immediately her bleeding stopped.

⁴⁵ “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.

When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master,^(AI) the people are crowding and pressing against you.”

⁴⁶ But Jesus said, “Someone touched me;^(AJ) I know that power has gone out from me.”^(AK)

⁴⁷ Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. ⁴⁸ Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you.^(AL) Go in peace.”^(AM)

⁴⁹ While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader.^(AN) “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.”

⁵⁰ Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”

⁵¹ When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James,^(AO) and the child’s father and mother. ⁵² Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning^(AP) for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.”^(AQ)

⁵³ They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. ⁵⁴ But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!”^{(AR) 55} Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. ⁵⁶ Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.^(AS)

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve^(AT)(AU)

9 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons^(AV) and to cure diseases,^{(AW) 2} and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God^(AX) and to heal the sick. ³ He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt.^{(AY) 4} Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. ⁵ If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”^{(AZ) 6} So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.

⁷ Now Herod^(BA) the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed because some were saying that John^(BB) had been raised from the dead,^{(BC) 8} others that Elijah had appeared,^(BD) and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life.^{(BE) 9} But Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” And he tried to see him.^(BF)

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand^(BG)(BH)

¹⁰ When the apostles^(BI) returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida,^{(BJ) 11} but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God,^(BK) and healed those who needed healing.

¹² Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.”

¹³ He replied, “You give them something to eat.”

They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” ¹⁴ (About five thousand men were there.)

But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” ¹⁵ The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. ¹⁶ Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them.^(BL) Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. ¹⁷ They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah^(BM)(BN)

¹⁸ Once when Jesus was praying^(BO) in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?”

¹⁹ They replied, “Some say John the Baptist;^(BP) others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.”^(BQ)

²⁰ “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.”^(BR)

Jesus Predicts His Death

²¹ Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone.^{(BS) 22} And he said, “The Son of Man^(BT) must suffer many things^(BU) and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law,^(BV) and he must be killed^(BW) and on the third day^(BX) be raised to life.”^(BY)

²³ Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.^{(BZ) 24} For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.^{(CA) 25} What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? ²⁶ Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them^(CB) when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.^(CC)

²⁷ “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”

The Transfiguration^(CD)

²⁸ About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James^(CE) with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.^{(CF) 29} As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. ³⁰ Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. ³¹ They spoke about his departure,^[d](CG) which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. ³² Peter and his companions were very sleepy,^(CH) but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. ³³ As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master,^(CI) it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)

³⁴ While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. ³⁵ A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen;^(CJ) listen to him.”^{(CK) 36} When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.^(CL)

Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy^(CM)

³⁷ The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. ³⁸ A man in the crowd called out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. ³⁹ A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. ⁴⁰ I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.”

⁴¹ “You unbelieving and perverse generation,”^(CN) Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”

⁴² Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. ⁴³ And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.

Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time

While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, ⁴⁴ “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.”^{(CO) 45} But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it,^(CP) and they were afraid to ask him about it.

⁴⁶ An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest.^{(CQ) 47} Jesus, knowing their thoughts,^(CR) took a little child and had him stand beside him. ⁴⁸ Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.^(CS) For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”^(CT)

⁴⁹ “Master,”^(CU) said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.”

⁵⁰ “Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”^(CV)

Samaritan Opposition

⁵¹ As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven,^(CW) Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.^{(CX) 52} And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan^(CY) village to get things ready for him; ⁵³ but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. ⁵⁴ When the disciples James and John^(CZ) saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them^[e]?”^{(DA) 55} But Jesus turned and rebuked them. ⁵⁶ Then he and his disciples went to another village.

The Cost of Following Jesus^(DB)

⁵⁷ As they were walking along the road,^(DC) a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”

⁵⁸ Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man^(DD) has no place to lay his head.”

⁵⁹ He said to another man, “Follow me.”^(DE)

But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

⁶⁰ Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”^(DF)

⁶¹ Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”^(DG)

⁶² Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”