^12 (A)to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for ^(B)building up ^(C)the body of Christ,

Martha and Mary

³⁸ Now as they went on their way, Jesus^[a] entered a village. And a woman named ^(A)Martha ^(B)welcomed him into her house. ³⁹ And she had a sister called ^(C)Mary, who ^(D)sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” ⁴¹ But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are ^(E)anxious and troubled about many things, ⁴² but one thing is necessary.^[b] Mary has chosen ^(F)the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Seven Chosen to Serve

6 Now in these days ^(A)when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists^[a] arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in ^(B)the daily distribution. ² And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. ^3 (C)Therefore, brothers,^[b] pick out from among you seven men ^(D)of good repute, ^(E)full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. ⁴ But ^(F)we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

⁵ and ^(A)there are varieties of service, but ^(B)the same Lord; ⁶ and there are varieties of activities, but it is ^(C)the same God who empowers them all in everyone.

²⁴ But ^(A)I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only ^(B)I may finish my course and ^(C)the ministry ^(D)that I received from the Lord Jesus, ^(E)to testify to ^(F)the gospel of ^(G)the grace of God.

¹⁵ Now I urge you, brothers^[a]—you know that ^(A)the household^[b] of Stephanas were ^(B)the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves ^(C)to the service of the saints—

²⁵ But Jesus called them to him and said, ^(A)“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles ^(B)lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. ^26 (C)It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,^{[a] 27} and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,^{[b] 28} even as the Son of Man came not to be served but ^(D)to serve, and ^(E)to give his life as a ransom for ^(F)many.”