Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

² Someone I know in the Messiah, fourteen years ago (whether in the body or out of the body I don’t know, though God knows), was snatched up to the third heaven. ³ I know that this particular “Someone” (whether in the body or apart from the body I don’t know, God knows)— ⁴ this person was snatched up to paradise, and heard . . . words you can’t pronounce, which humans aren’t allowed to repeat. ⁵ I will boast of Someone like that, but I won’t boast of myself, except of my weaknesses. ⁶ If I did want to boast, you see, I wouldn’t be mad; I’d be speaking the truth. But I’m holding back, so that nobody will think anything of me except what they can see in me or hear from me, ⁷ even considering how remarkable the revelations were.

As a result, so that I wouldn’t become too exalted, a thorn was given to me in my flesh, a messenger from the satan, to keep stabbing away at me. ⁸ I prayed to the Lord three times about this, asking that it would be taken away from me, ⁹ and this is what he said to me: “My grace is enough for you; my power comes to perfection in weakness.” So I will be all the more pleased to boast of my weaknesses, so that the Messiah’s power may rest upon me. ¹⁰ So I’m delighted when I’m weak, insulted, in difficulties, persecuted and facing disasters, for the Messiah’s sake. When I’m weak, you see, then I am strong.

A prophet in his own town

6 Jesus went away from there, and came to his home region. His disciples followed him. ² On the sabbath, he began to teach in the synagogue. When they heard him, lots of people were astonished.

“Where does he get it all from?” they said. “What’s this wisdom he’s been given? How does he get this kind of power in his hands? ³ Isn’t he the builder, Mary’s son? Isn’t he the brother of James, Joses, Judah and Simon? And aren’t his sisters here with us?” They took offense at him.

⁴ “Prophets have honor everywhere,” said Jesus, “except in their own country, their own family, and their own home.”

⁵ He couldn’t do anything remarkable there, except that he laid hands on a few sick people and cured them. ⁶ Their unbelief dumbfounded him.

He went round the villages, teaching.

The Twelve sent out

⁷ Jesus called the Twelve, and began to send them out in pairs, giving them authority over unclean spirits. ⁸ These were his instructions: they were not to take anything for the road, just one staff; no bread, no bag, no cash in the belt; ⁹ to wear sandals, and not to wear a second tunic.

¹⁰ “Whenever you go into a house,” he told them, “stay there until you leave the district. ¹¹ If any place doesn’t welcome you, or won’t listen to you, go away and wipe the dust from your feet as evidence against them.”

¹² They went off and announced that people should repent. ¹³ They cast out several demons; and they anointed many sick people with oil, and cured them.