The Faith of the Centurion^(A)

7 When Jesus had finished saying all this^(B) to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. ² There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. ³ The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. ⁴ When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, ⁵ because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” ⁶ So Jesus went with them.

He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. ⁷ That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.^{(C) 8} For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

⁹ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” ¹⁰ Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son^(D)

¹¹ Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. ¹² As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. ¹³ When the Lord^(E) saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”

¹⁴ Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!”^{(F) 15} The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

¹⁶ They were all filled with awe^(G) and praised God.^(H) “A great prophet^(I) has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.”^{(J) 17} This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.^(K)

Jesus and John the Baptist^(L)

¹⁸ John’s^(M) disciples^(N) told him about all these things. Calling two of them, ¹⁹ he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

²⁰ When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’”

²¹ At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses^(O) and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. ²² So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy^[a] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.^{(P) 23} Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

²⁴ After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? ²⁵ If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. ²⁶ But what did you go out to see? A prophet?^(Q) Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ²⁷ This is the one about whom it is written:

²⁸ I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God^(S) is greater than he.”

²⁹ (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John.^{(T) 30} But the Pharisees and the experts in the law^(U) rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)

³¹ Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? ³² They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other:

³³ For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine,^(V) and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ ³⁴ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’^{(W) 35} But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”

Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman^(X)(Y)

³⁶ When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. ³⁷ A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. ³⁸ As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

³⁹ When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet,^(Z) he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

⁴⁰ Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

⁴¹ “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,^[c] and the other fifty. ⁴² Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

⁴³ Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

⁴⁴ Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet,^(AA) but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. ⁴⁵ You did not give me a kiss,^(AB) but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. ⁴⁶ You did not put oil on my head,^(AC) but she has poured perfume on my feet. ⁴⁷ Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

⁴⁸ Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”^(AD)

⁴⁹ The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

⁵⁰ Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you;^(AE) go in peace.”^(AF)

The Passover

9 The Lord spoke to Moses in the Desert of Sinai in the first month^(A) of the second year after they came out of Egypt.^(B) He said, ² “Have the Israelites celebrate the Passover^(C) at the appointed time.^{(D) 3} Celebrate it at the appointed time, at twilight on the fourteenth day of this month,^(E) in accordance with all its rules and regulations.^(F)”

⁴ So Moses told the Israelites to celebrate the Passover,^{(G) 5} and they did so in the Desert of Sinai^(H) at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month.^(I) The Israelites did everything just as the Lord commanded Moses.^(J)

⁶ But some of them could not celebrate the Passover on that day because they were ceremonially unclean^(K) on account of a dead body.^(L) So they came to Moses and Aaron^(M) that same day ⁷ and said to Moses, “We have become unclean because of a dead body, but why should we be kept from presenting the Lord’s offering with the other Israelites at the appointed time?^(N)”

⁸ Moses answered them, “Wait until I find out what the Lord commands concerning you.”^(O)

⁹ Then the Lord said to Moses, ¹⁰ “Tell the Israelites: ‘When any of you or your descendants are unclean because of a dead body^(P) or are away on a journey, they are still to celebrate^(Q) the Lord’s Passover, ¹¹ but they are to do it on the fourteenth day of the second month^(R) at twilight. They are to eat the lamb, together with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.^{(S) 12} They must not leave any of it till morning^(T) or break any of its bones.^(U) When they celebrate the Passover, they must follow all the regulations.^{(V) 13} But if anyone who is ceremonially clean and not on a journey fails to celebrate the Passover, they must be cut off from their people^(W) for not presenting the Lord’s offering at the appointed time. They will bear the consequences of their sin.

¹⁴ “‘A foreigner^(X) residing among you is also to celebrate the Lord’s Passover in accordance with its rules and regulations. You must have the same regulations for both the foreigner and the native-born.’”

The Cloud Above the Tabernacle

¹⁵ On the day the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant law,^(Y) was set up,^(Z) the cloud^(AA) covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire.^{(AB) 16} That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire.^{(AC) 17} Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out;^(AD) wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped.^{(AE) 18} At the Lord’s command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained^(AF) in camp. ¹⁹ When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the Lord’s order^(AG) and did not set out.^{(AH) 20} Sometimes the cloud was over the tabernacle only a few days; at the Lord’s command they would encamp, and then at his command they would set out. ²¹ Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. ²² Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. ²³ At the Lord’s command they encamped, and at the Lord’s command they set out. They obeyed the Lord’s order, in accordance with his command through Moses.

The Silver Trumpets

10 The Lord said to Moses: ² “Make two trumpets^(AI) of hammered silver, and use them for calling the community^(AJ) together and for having the camps set out.^{(AK) 3} When both are sounded, the whole community is to assemble before you at the entrance to the tent of meeting. ⁴ If only one is sounded, the leaders^(AL)—the heads of the clans of Israel—are to assemble before you. ⁵ When a trumpet blast is sounded, the tribes camping on the east are to set out.^{(AM) 6} At the sounding of a second blast, the camps on the south are to set out.^(AN) The blast will be the signal for setting out. ⁷ To gather the assembly, blow the trumpets,^(AO) but not with the signal for setting out.^(AP)

⁸ “The sons of Aaron, the priests, are to blow the trumpets. This is to be a lasting ordinance for you and the generations to come.^{(AQ) 9} When you go into battle in your own land against an enemy who is oppressing you,^(AR) sound a blast on the trumpets.^(AS) Then you will be remembered^(AT) by the Lord your God and rescued from your enemies.^{(AU) 10} Also at your times of rejoicing—your appointed festivals and New Moon feasts^(AV)—you are to sound the trumpets^(AW) over your burnt offerings^(AX) and fellowship offerings,^(AY) and they will be a memorial for you before your God. I am the Lord your God.^(AZ)”

The Israelites Leave Sinai

¹¹ On the twentieth day of the second month of the second year,^(BA) the cloud lifted^(BB) from above the tabernacle of the covenant law.^{(BC) 12} Then the Israelites set out from the Desert of Sinai and traveled from place to place until the cloud came to rest in the Desert of Paran.^{(BD) 13} They set out, this first time, at the Lord’s command through Moses.^(BE)

¹⁴ The divisions of the camp of Judah went first, under their standard.^(BF) Nahshon son of Amminadab^(BG) was in command. ¹⁵ Nethanel son of Zuar was over the division of the tribe^(BH) of Issachar,^{(BI) 16} and Eliab son of Helon^(BJ) was over the division of the tribe of Zebulun.^{(BK) 17} Then the tabernacle was taken down, and the Gershonites and Merarites, who carried it, set out.^(BL)

¹⁸ The divisions of the camp of Reuben^(BM) went next, under their standard.^(BN) Elizur son of Shedeur^(BO) was in command. ¹⁹ Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai was over the division of the tribe of Simeon,^{(BP) 20} and Eliasaph son of Deuel was over the division of the tribe of Gad.^{(BQ) 21} Then the Kohathites^(BR) set out, carrying the holy things.^(BS) The tabernacle was to be set up before they arrived.^(BT)

²² The divisions of the camp of Ephraim^(BU) went next, under their standard. Elishama son of Ammihud^(BV) was in command. ²³ Gamaliel son of Pedahzur was over the division of the tribe of Manasseh,^{(BW) 24} and Abidan son of Gideoni was over the division of the tribe of Benjamin.^(BX)

²⁵ Finally, as the rear guard^(BY) for all the units, the divisions of the camp of Dan set out under their standard. Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai^(BZ) was in command. ²⁶ Pagiel son of Okran was over the division of the tribe of Asher,^{(CA) 27} and Ahira son of Enan was over the division of the tribe of Naphtali.^{(CB) 28} This was the order of march for the Israelite divisions as they set out.

²⁹ Now Moses said to Hobab^(CC) son of Reuel^(CD) the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law,^(CE) “We are setting out for the place about which the Lord said, ‘I will give it to you.’^(CF) Come with us and we will treat you well, for the Lord has promised good things to Israel.”

³⁰ He answered, “No, I will not go;^(CG) I am going back to my own land and my own people.^(CH)”

³¹ But Moses said, “Please do not leave us. You know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you can be our eyes.^{(CI) 32} If you come with us, we will share with you^(CJ) whatever good things the Lord gives us.^(CK)”

³³ So they set out^(CL) from the mountain of the Lord and traveled for three days. The ark of the covenant of the Lord^(CM) went before them during those three days to find them a place to rest.^{(CN) 34} The cloud of the Lord was over them by day when they set out from the camp.^(CO)

³⁵ Whenever the ark set out, Moses said,

³⁶ Whenever it came to rest, he said,

Fire From the Lord

11 Now the people complained^(CV) about their hardships in the hearing of the Lord,^(CW) and when he heard them his anger was aroused.^(CX) Then fire from the Lord burned among them^(CY) and consumed^(CZ) some of the outskirts of the camp. ² When the people cried out to Moses, he prayed^(DA) to the Lord^(DB) and the fire died down. ³ So that place was called Taberah,^[a](DC) because fire from the Lord had burned among them.^(DD)

Quail From the Lord

⁴ The rabble with them began to crave other food,^(DE) and again the Israelites started wailing^(DF) and said, “If only we had meat to eat! ⁵ We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic.^{(DG) 6} But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!^(DH)”

⁷ The manna was like coriander seed^(DI) and looked like resin.^{(DJ) 8} The people went around gathering it,^(DK) and then ground it in a hand mill or crushed it in a mortar. They cooked it in a pot or made it into loaves. And it tasted like something made with olive oil. ⁹ When the dew^(DL) settled on the camp at night, the manna also came down.

¹⁰ Moses heard the people of every family wailing^(DM) at the entrance to their tents. The Lord became exceedingly angry, and Moses was troubled. ¹¹ He asked the Lord, “Why have you brought this trouble^(DN) on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me?^{(DO) 12} Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant,^(DP) to the land you promised on oath^(DQ) to their ancestors?^{(DR) 13} Where can I get meat for all these people?^(DS) They keep wailing to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ ¹⁴ I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me.^{(DT) 15} If this is how you are going to treat me, please go ahead and kill me^(DU)—if I have found favor in your eyes—and do not let me face my own ruin.”

¹⁶ The Lord said to Moses: “Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders^(DV) who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people.^(DW) Have them come to the tent of meeting,^(DX) that they may stand there with you. ¹⁷ I will come down and speak with you^(DY) there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them.^(DZ) They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone.^(EA)

¹⁸ “Tell the people: ‘Consecrate yourselves^(EB) in preparation for tomorrow, when you will eat meat. The Lord heard you when you wailed,^(EC) “If only we had meat to eat! We were better off in Egypt!”^(ED) Now the Lord will give you meat,^(EE) and you will eat it. ¹⁹ You will not eat it for just one day, or two days, or five, ten or twenty days, ²⁰ but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it^(EF)—because you have rejected the Lord,^(EG) who is among you, and have wailed before him, saying, “Why did we ever leave Egypt?”’”^(EH)

²¹ But Moses said, “Here I am among six hundred thousand men^(EI) on foot, and you say, ‘I will give them meat to eat for a whole month!’ ²² Would they have enough if flocks and herds were slaughtered for them? Would they have enough if all the fish in the sea were caught for them?”^(EJ)

²³ The Lord answered Moses, “Is the Lord’s arm too short?^(EK) Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you.^(EL)”

²⁴ So Moses went out and told the people what the Lord had said. He brought together seventy of their elders and had them stand around the tent. ²⁵ Then the Lord came down in the cloud^(EM) and spoke with him,^(EN) and he took some of the power of the Spirit^(EO) that was on him and put it on the seventy elders.^(EP) When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied^(EQ)—but did not do so again.

²⁶ However, two men, whose names were Eldad and Medad, had remained in the camp. They were listed among the elders, but did not go out to the tent. Yet the Spirit also rested on them,^(ER) and they prophesied in the camp. ²⁷ A young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.”

²⁸ Joshua son of Nun,^(ES) who had been Moses’ aide^(ET) since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!”^(EU)

²⁹ But Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets^(EV) and that the Lord would put his Spirit^(EW) on them!”^{(EX) 30} Then Moses and the elders of Israel returned to the camp.

³¹ Now a wind went out from the Lord and drove quail^(EY) in from the sea. It scattered them up to two cubits^[b] deep all around the camp, as far as a day’s walk in any direction. ³² All that day and night and all the next day the people went out and gathered quail. No one gathered less than ten homers.^[c] Then they spread them out all around the camp. ³³ But while the meat was still between their teeth^(EZ) and before it could be consumed, the anger^(FA) of the Lord burned against the people, and he struck them with a severe plague.^{(FB) 34} Therefore the place was named Kibroth Hattaavah,^[d](FC) because there they buried the people who had craved other food.

³⁵ From Kibroth Hattaavah the people traveled to Hazeroth^(FD) and stayed there.