Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

A song for those who go up to Jerusalem to worship the Lord.

¹⁶ The news reached Pharaoh’s palace that Joseph’s brothers had come. Pharaoh and all his officials were pleased. ¹⁷ Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Here’s what I want you to tell your brothers. Say to them, ‘Load your animals. Return to the land of Canaan. ¹⁸ Bring your father and your families back to me. I’ll give you the best land in Egypt. You can enjoy all the good things in the land.’

¹⁹ “And here’s something else I want you to tell them. Say to them, ‘Take some carts from Egypt. Your children and your wives can use them. Get your father and come back. ²⁰ Don’t worry about the things you have back there. The best of everything in Egypt will belong to you.’ ”

²¹ Then the sons of Israel did so. Joseph gave them carts, as Pharaoh had commanded. He also gave them supplies for their journey. ²² He gave new clothes to each of them. But he gave Benjamin more than seven pounds of silver. He also gave him five sets of clothes. ²³ He sent his father ten male donkeys loaded with the best things from Egypt. He also sent ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other supplies for his journey. ²⁴ Then Joseph sent his brothers away. As they were leaving he said to them, “Don’t argue on the way!”

²⁵ So they went up out of Egypt. They came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. ²⁶ They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of the whole land of Egypt.” Jacob was shocked. He didn’t believe them. ²⁷ So they told him everything Joseph had said to them. Jacob saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back. That gave new life to their father Jacob. ²⁸ Israel said, “I believe it now! My son Joseph is still alive. I’ll go and see him before I die.”

Jesus Heals a Man Who Had a Skin Disease

8 Jesus came down from the mountainside. Large crowds followed him. ² A man who had a skin disease came and got down on his knees in front of Jesus. He said, “Lord, if you are willing to make me ‘clean,’ you can do it.”

³ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing to do it,” he said. “Be ‘clean’!” Right away the man was healed of his skin disease. ⁴ Then Jesus said to him, “Don’t tell anyone. Go and show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift Moses commanded. It will be a witness to everyone.”

A Roman Commander Has Faith

⁵ When Jesus entered Capernaum, a Roman commander came to him. He asked Jesus for help. ⁶ “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home and can’t move. He is suffering terribly.”

⁷ Jesus said, “Shall I come and heal him?”

⁸ The commander replied, “Lord, I am not good enough to have you come into my house. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁹ I myself am a man under authority. And I have soldiers who obey my orders. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes. I tell that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

¹⁰ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. He said to those following him, “What I’m about to tell you is true. In Israel I have not found anyone whose faith is so strong. ¹¹ I say to you that many will come from the east and the west. They will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of heaven. They will sit with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. ¹² But those who think they belong in the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness. There they will weep and grind their teeth.”

¹³ Then Jesus said to the Roman commander, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.