Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

⁷ We remember how well you do in everything. You do well in believing, in talking, in knowing things, in trying your best, and in the way you love us. So now, do well in giving this gift.

⁸ I am not saying that you must do it. But I want to prove how strong your love is. That is why I have told you how other people show their love.

⁹ You know how much love our Lord Jesus Christ had. He was rich, but he became poor for your sakes. Because he became poor, you can become rich.

¹⁰ I tell you what I think. It is best for you to finish what you started a year ago. You were the first to think of helping, and you started to give money.

¹¹ So now, finish doing it. You wanted to do it, so now finish it. Give as much as you can.

¹² If a man wants to give, he is judged by what he has to give. He is not judged by what he cannot give.

¹³ I do not want it to be easy for others and hard for you.

¹⁴ I want it to be equal for everyone. Right now, you have plenty and are able to help them. Another time, when they have plenty, they will help you when you need it. In that way things will be equal.

¹⁵ The holy writings say, `The person who had plenty did not have too much. And the person who did not have much, had enough.' care for you into the heart of Titus that I have.

²¹ Jesus crossed over the sea again to the other side. Many people came to him while he was near the water.

²² One of the rulers of the meeting house came to him. His name was Jairus. When he saw Jesus, he kneeled down before him.

²³ He said, `My little daughter is dying. I beg you, come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.'

²⁴ So Jesus went with Jairus. Many people went with Jesus and pushed against him.

²⁵ A woman among them had a sickness for twelve years. She was bleeding all the time.

²⁶ Many doctors tried to heal her. She spent all the money she had to pay them. She was not better, but was getting worse.

²⁷ When she heard of Jesus, she came among the people behind him. Then she reached out and touched his clothes.

²⁸ She said to herself, `If only I touch his clothes, I will be well.'

²⁹ The bleeding stopped right away. She could feel that she was healed of her trouble.

³⁰ Jesus knew right away that power to heal went out from him. He turned around among the people and said, `Who touched my clothes?'

³¹ But his disciples said to him, `You see all these people pushing around you. Why do you ask, "Who touched me?" '

³² He looked around to see who had done it.

³³ The woman was afraid and trembled. She knew what had happened to her. She kneeled down in front of Jesus and told him the truth about herself.

³⁴ He said to her, `Daughter, you were healed because you believed. Go and do not be troubled. You are healed.'

³⁵ While Jesus was still talking, some people came from the ruler's house. They said, `Your daughter has died. Why trouble the Teacher any more?'

³⁶ Jesus heard it. He said to the ruler, `Do not fear. Only believe.'

³⁷ Jesus did not let anyone go with him only Peter, James, and his brother John.

³⁸ They came to the ruler's house. Jesus saw that there was trouble. People were crying and making much noise because the ruler's daughter had died.

³⁹ When he came into the house, he said to them, `Why do you make so much noise and cry? The girl is not dead, but is sleeping.'

⁴⁰ They laughed at him. So he sent them all outside. Then he took the girl's father and mother and the three disciples into the room where the girl was lying.

⁴¹ He took her hand and said, `Talitha cumi!' That means, `Little girl, I tell you, get up!'

⁴² The girl got up right away and walked around. She was twelve years old. The people were very much surprised.

⁴³ Jesus said, `Do not tell anyone about this. Give the girl something to eat.'