Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

² I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago— whether in the body, I do not know, or outside of the body, I do not know. God knows— that such a one was snatched-away^[a] to the third heaven. ³ And I know such a man— whether in the body or apart from the body, I do not know. God knows— ⁴ that he was snatched away into paradise, and heard unspeakable words which are not permitted for a man to speak. ⁵ I will boast on behalf of such a one. But I will not boast on behalf of myself, except in the weaknesses. ⁶ For if I should desire to boast, I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I am sparing you, that no one might credit to me beyond what he sees as to me, or hears as to something from me.

But God’s Power Is Perfected In Weakness, So I Will Boast In My Weaknesses

⁷ And^[b] for the excess^[c] of the revelations— for-this-reason, in order that I might not be exalted^[d], a thorn in the flesh was given to me; a messenger of Satan to^[e] beat^[f] me in order that I might not be exalted. ⁸ I appealed-to the Lord about this three-times, that it^[g] might depart from me. ⁹ And He has said to me: “My grace is sufficient^[h] for you. For My power is perfected^[i] in weakness”. Therefore most-gladly^[j] I will rather boast in my weaknesses in order that the power of Christ may dwell upon me. ¹⁰ For this reason I am well-pleased with weaknesses, with insults^[k], with constraints, with persecutions and distresses for the sake of Christ. For whenever I am weak, at that time I am powerful^[l].

6 ¹ And He went out from there.

Jesus Teaches In His Hometown Synagogue. They Are Astounded But Unbelieving

And He comes into His hometown^[a]. And His disciples are following Him. ² And having become Sabbath, He began to teach in the synagogue. And while listening, many were astounded, saying “From where did these things come to this One? And what is the wisdom having been given to this One? And such miracles taking place by His hands! ³ Is this One not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Jude^[b] and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” And they were taking-offense^[c] at Him. ⁴ And Jesus was saying to them that “A prophet is not without-honor except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his house”. ⁵ And He was not able to do any miracle there— except, having laid His hands on a few sick ones, He cured them. ⁶ And He was marveling because of their unbelief.

The Twelve Are Sent Out Two By Two To Proclaim Repentance And Heal The Sick

And He was going-around the villages in a circle, teaching. ⁷ And He summons the twelve, and began to send them out two by two. And He was giving them authority over the unclean spirits. ⁸ And He instructed them that they should be taking nothing for the journey except a staff ^[d] only— no bread, no [traveler’s] bag, no money^[e] for the [money] belt— ⁹ but should go having [merely] tied-on sandals. “And do not put on two tunics^[f]”. ¹⁰ And He was saying to them, “Wherever you enter into a house, be staying there until you go forth from-that-place^[g]. ¹¹ And whatever place does not welcome you, nor do they listen-to you— while proceeding out from-that-place, shake-out the dirt under your feet for a testimony against them”. ¹² And having gone forth, they proclaimed that they should repent. ¹³ And they were casting out many demons. And they were anointing^[h] many sick ones with oil and curing them.