Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

Mission to Rebellious Israel

2 He said to me, ‘Son of man, stand up on your feet^(A) and I will speak with you.’ ² As he spoke to me, the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet,^(B) and I listened to the one who was speaking to me. ³ He said to me, ‘Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to^[a] the rebellious pagans who have rebelled against me. The Israelites and their ancestors have transgressed against me to this day.^{(C) 4} The descendants are obstinate^[b] and hard-hearted.^(D) I am sending you to them, and you must say to them, “This is what the Lord God says.” ⁵ Whether they listen or refuse to listen^(E) – for they are a rebellious house – they will know that a prophet has been among them.^(F)

Looking for God’s Favour

A song of ascents.

² I know a man in Christ who was caught up^(A) to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know; God knows. ³ I know that this man – whether in the body or out of the body I don’t know; God knows –  ⁴ was caught up into paradise^(B) and heard inexpressible words, which a human being is not allowed to speak. ⁵ I will boast about this person, but not about myself, except of my weaknesses.

⁶ For if I want to boast, I wouldn’t be a fool, because I would be telling the truth.^(C) But I will spare you, so that no one can credit me with something beyond what he sees in me or hears from me, ⁷ especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh^(D) was given to me, a messenger of Satan^(E) to torment me so that I would not exalt myself. ⁸ Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me. ⁹ But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power^(F) is perfected in weakness.’^(G)

Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. ¹⁰ So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ.^(H) For when I am weak, then I am strong.^(I)

Rejection at Nazareth

6 He^(A) left there and came to his home town,^(B) and his disciples^(C) followed him. ² When the Sabbath^(D) came, he began to teach^(E) in the synagogue,^(F) and many who heard him were astonished. ‘Where did this man get these things? ’ they said. ‘What is this wisdom^(G) that has been given to him, and how are these miracles^(H) performed by his hands? ³ Isn’t this the carpenter,^(I) the son of Mary,^(J) and the brother of James,^(K) Joses, Judas,^(L) and Simon? And aren’t his sisters here with us? ’ So they were offended^(M) by him.

⁴ Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet^(N) is not without honour^(O) except in his home town, among his relatives, and in his household.’ ⁵ He was not able to do a miracle^(P) there, except that he laid his hands on^(Q) a few ill^(R) people and healed^(S) them. ⁶ And he was amazed^(T) at their unbelief.^(U) He was going around the villages teaching.^(V)

Commissioning the Twelve

⁷ He^(W) summoned^(X) the Twelve^(Y) and began to send^(Z) them out in pairs and gave them authority over unclean^(AA) spirits.^{(AB) 8} He instructed them to take nothing for the road except a staff – no bread, no travelling bag,^(AC) no money in their belts, ⁹ but to wear sandals and not put on an extra shirt.^{(AD) 10} He said to them, ‘Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that place. ¹¹ If any place does not welcome^(AE) you or listen to you, when you leave there, shake the dust off your feet^(AF) as a testimony^(AG) against them.’^{[a] 12} So they went out and preached^(AH) that people should repent.^{(AI) 13} They drove out many demons,^(AJ) anointed^(AK) many ill^(AL) people with oil^(AM) and healed them.^(AN)