Study Desk

He was saying to them, "The harvest is abundant [for there are many who need to hear the good news about salvation], but the workers [those available to proclaim the message of salvation] are few. Therefore, [prayerfully] ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.

"And if anyone of peace is there [someone who is sweet-spirited and hospitable], your [blessing of] peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.

"But whatever city you enter and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say,

"Nevertheless do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven."

But he, wishing to justify and vindicate himself, asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

"But a Samaritan (foreigner), who was traveling, came upon him; and when he saw him, he was deeply moved with compassion [for him],

But Martha was very busy and distracted with all of her serving responsibilities; and she approached Him and said, "Lord, is it of no concern to You that my sister has left me to do the serving alone? Tell her to help me and do her part."

But the Lord replied to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered and anxious about so many things;

but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part [that which is to her advantage], which will not be taken away from her."

-'And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us [who has offended or wronged us]. And lead us not into temptation but rescue us from evil.'"

But some of them said, "He drives out demons by [the power of] Beelzebul (Satan), the ruler of the demons."

But He, well aware of their thoughts and purpose, said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is doomed to destruction; and a house divided against itself falls.

"But if I drive out the demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has already come upon you.

"But when someone stronger than he attacks and overpowers him, he robs him of all his armor on which he had relied and divides his [goods as] spoil.

But He said, "On the contrary, blessed (happy, favored by God) are those who hear the word of God and continually observe it."

Now as the crowds were increasing [in number], He began to say, "This [present] generation is a wicked generation; it seeks a sign (attesting miracle), but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah [the prophet].

"No one lights a lamp and then puts it in a cellar nor under a basket [hiding the light], but [instead it is put] on the lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light.

"The eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is clear [spiritually perceptive, focused on God], your whole body also is full of light [benefiting from God's precepts]. But when it is bad [spiritually blind], your body also is full of darkness [devoid of God's word].

But the Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and plate [as required by tradition]; but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.

"But give that which is within as charity [that is, acts of mercy and compassion, not as a public display, but as an expression of your faithfulness to God], and then indeed all things are clean for you.