And he will go as forerunner before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him."

As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, "The voice of one shouting in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make his paths straight.

While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came to him who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he bowed down with his face to the ground and begged him, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."

So Jesus said to them, "You cannot make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you?

Therefore I tell you, her sins, which were many, are forgiven, thus she loved much; but the one who is forgiven little loves little."

But other seed fell on good soil and grew, and it produced a hundred times as much grain." As he said this, he called out, "The one who has ears to hear had better listen!"

Then as the men were starting to leave, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three shelters, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah" -- not knowing what he was saying.

Jesus answered, "You unbelieving and perverse generation! How much longer must I be with you and endure you? Bring your son here."

He sent messengers on ahead of him. As they went along, they entered a Samaritan village to make things ready in advance for him,

But Martha was distracted with all the preparations she had to make, so she came up to him and said, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do all the work alone? Tell her to help me."

If you then, although you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

You fools! Didn't the one who made the outside make the inside as well?

But when they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, do not worry about how you should make your defense or what you should say,

Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn, yet God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than the birds!

And if this is how God clothes the wild grass, which is here today and tomorrow is tossed into the fire to heat the oven, how much more will he clothe you, you people of little faith!

But the one who did not know his master's will and did things worthy of punishment will receive a light beating. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be asked.

As you are going with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, so that he will not drag you before the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.

But one after another they all began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please excuse me.'

Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish the tower, all who see it will begin to make fun of him.

So he contacted his master's debtors one by one. He asked the first, 'How much do you owe my master?'

Then he said to another, 'And how much do you owe?' The second man replied, 'A hundred measures of wheat.' The manager said to him, 'Take your bill, and write eighty.'

And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by how you use worldly wealth, so that when it runs out you will be welcomed into the eternal homes.

"The one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and the one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.

Won't the master instead say to him, 'Get my dinner ready, and make yourself ready to serve me while I eat and drink. Then you may eat and drink'?

But Zacchaeus stopped and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, half of my possessions I now give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone of anything, I am paying back four times as much!"

When he returned after receiving the kingdom, he summoned these slaves to whom he had given the money. He wanted to know how much they had earned by trading.

saying, "If you had only known on this day, even you, the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.

until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."'

They devour widows' property, and as a show make long prayers. They will receive a more severe punishment."

Therefore be resolved not to rehearse ahead of time how to make your defense.

Then he will show you a large furnished room upstairs. Make preparations there."

Now the men who were holding Jesus under guard began to mock him and beat him.