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Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath day.
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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.
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When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, "Woman, you are free from your sickness."
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Jesus put his hands on her, and immediately she was able to stand up straight and began praising God.
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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."
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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.
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Then Jesus said, "What is God's kingdom like? What can I compare it with?
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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."
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Jesus said again, "What can I compare God's kingdom with?