²⁵ But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months and there was a severe famine over all the land,^(A)

¹⁷ Elijah was a human like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.^(A)

Elijah Predicts a Drought

17 Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe^[a] in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.”^(A)

¹⁵ Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’^[a](A)

Jesus Rejoices

²¹ At that very hour Jesus^[a] rejoiced in the Holy Spirit^[b] and said, “I thank^[c] you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.^[d](A)

²⁶ Now the woman was a gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. ²⁷ He said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” ²⁸ But she answered him, “Sir,^[a] even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” ²⁹ Then he said to her, “For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.”

¹¹ In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance,^[a] having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will,^(A)

⁹ he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ,^(A)

²⁰ But who indeed are you, a human, to argue with God? Will what is molded say to the one who molds it, “Why have you made me like this?”^(A)