7
So he said to his gardener, "Look, for three years I have been coming here looking for figs on this fig tree, and I haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it go on using up the soil?'
8
But the gardener answered, "Leave it alone, sir, just one more year; I will dig around it and put in some fertilizer.
9
Then if the tree bears figs next year, so much the better; if not, then you can have it cut down.' "
10
One Sabbath Jesus was teaching in a synagogue.
11
A woman there had an evil spirit that had kept her sick for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not straighten up at all.
12
When Jesus saw her, he called out to her, "Woman, you are free from your sickness!"
13
He placed his hands on her, and at once she straightened herself up and praised God.
14
The official of the synagogue was angry that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, so he spoke up and said to the people, "There are six days in which we should work; so come during those days and be healed, but not on the Sabbath!"
1
15
The Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Any one of you would untie your ox or your donkey from the stall and take it out to give it water on the Sabbath.
16
Now here is this descendant of Abraham whom Satan has kept in bonds for eighteen years; should she not be released on the Sabbath?"
17
His answer made his enemies ashamed of themselves, while the people rejoiced over all the wonderful things that he did.