Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

The Lord Speaks to Ezekiel

2 He said to me, “Human being, stand up on your feet. Then I will speak with you.” ² While he spoke to me, the Spirit entered me and put me on my feet. Then I heard the Lord speaking to me.

³ He said, “Human being, I am sending you to the people of Israel. They are a nation of people who turned against me. They broke away from me. They and their ancestors have sinned against me until this very day. ⁴ And I am sending you to people who are stubborn. They do not obey. You will say this to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says.’ ⁵ The people may listen, or they may not. They are a people who turn against me. But whatever they do, they will know that a prophet has been among them.

A Prayer for Mercy

A song for going up to worship.

² I know a man in Christ who was taken up to the third heaven. This happened 14 years ago. I do not know whether the man was in his body or out of his body. But God knows. ^3-4 And I know that this man was taken up to paradise.^[a] I don’t know if he was in his body or away from his body. But he heard things he is not able to explain. He heard things that no man is allowed to tell. ⁵ I will brag about a man like that. But I will not brag about myself, except about my weaknesses. ⁶ But if I wanted to brag about myself, I would not be a fool. I would not be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I will not brag about myself. I do not want people to think more of me than what they see me do or hear me say.

⁷ But I must not become too proud of the wonderful things that were shown to me. So a painful problem^[b] was given to me. This problem is a messenger from Satan. It is sent to beat me and keep me from being too proud. ⁸ I begged the Lord three times to take this problem away from me. ⁹ But the Lord said to me, “My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, then my power is made perfect in you.” So I am very happy to brag about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can live in me. ¹⁰ So I am happy when I have weaknesses, insults, hard times, sufferings, and all kinds of troubles. All these things are for Christ. And I am happy, because when I am weak, then I am truly strong.

Jesus Goes to His Hometown

6 Jesus left there and went back to his hometown. His followers went with him. ² On the Sabbath day he taught in the synagogue. Many people heard him and were amazed. They said, “Where did this man get these teachings? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? And where did he get the power to work miracles? ³ He is only the carpenter. His mother is Mary. He is the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters are here with us.” The people did not accept Jesus.

⁴ Jesus said to them, “Other people give honor to a prophet. But in his own town with his own people and in his own home, a prophet does not receive honor.” ⁵ Jesus was not able to work many miracles there. The only miracles he did were to heal some sick people by putting his hands on them. ⁶ Jesus was amazed that they had no faith.

Then Jesus went to other villages in that area and taught. ⁷ He called the 12 followers together and sent them out in groups of 2. He gave them authority over evil spirits. ⁸ This is what Jesus told them: “Take nothing for your trip except a walking stick. Take no bread, no bag, and no money in your pockets. ⁹ Wear sandals, and take only the clothes you are wearing. ¹⁰ When you enter a house, stay there until you leave that place. ¹¹ If any town refuses to accept you or its people refuse to listen to you, then leave that town. Shake its dust off your feet.^[a] This will be a warning to them.”^[b]

¹² The followers went out and preached to the people to change their hearts and lives. ¹³ The followers forced many demons out and poured olive oil on many sick people and healed them.