8
But the servant answered, 'Master, let the tree have one more year to produce fruit. Let me dig up the dirt around it and put on some fertilizer.
9
If the tree produces fruit next year, good. But if not, you can cut it down.'"
10
Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath day.
11
A woman was there who, for eighteen years, had an evil spirit in her that made her crippled. Her back was always bent; she could not stand up straight.
12
When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, "Woman, you are free from your sickness."
13
Jesus put his hands on her, and immediately she was able to stand up straight and began praising God.
14
The synagogue leader was angry because Jesus healed on the Sabbath day. He said to the people, "There are six days when one has to work. So come to be healed on one of those days, and not on the Sabbath day."
15
The Lord answered, "You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you untie your work animals and lead them to drink water every day -- even on the Sabbath day?
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This woman that I healed, a daughter of Abraham, has been held by Satan for eighteen years. Surely it is not wrong for her to be freed from her sickness on a Sabbath day!"
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When Jesus said this, all of those who were criticizing him were ashamed, but the entire crowd rejoiced at all the wonderful things Jesus was doing.
18
Then Jesus said, "What is God's kingdom like? What can I compare it with?
19
It is like a mustard seed that a man plants in his garden. The seed grows and becomes a tree, and the wild birds build nests in its branches."
20
Jesus said again, "What can I compare God's kingdom with?
21
It is like yeast that a woman took and hid in a large tub of flour until it made all the dough rise."
22
Jesus was teaching in every town and village as he traveled toward Jerusalem.
23
Someone said to Jesus, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" Jesus said,
24
"Try hard to enter through the narrow door, because many people will try to enter there, but they will not be able.
25
When the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you can stand outside and knock on the door and say, 'Sir, open the door for us.' But he will answer, 'I don't know you or where you come from.'
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Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in the streets of our town.'
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But he will say to you, 'I don't know you or where you come from. Go away from me, all you who do evil!'
28
You will cry and grind your teeth with pain when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in God's kingdom, but you yourselves thrown outside.