And child, you will be called
a prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord
to prepare His ways,

to shine on those who live in darkness
and the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.

as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:

A voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
Prepare the way for the Lord;
make His paths straight!

Every valley will be filled,
and every mountain and hill will be made low;
the crooked will become straight,
the rough ways smooth,

But He passed right through the crowd and went on His way.

When it was day, He went out and made His way to a deserted place. But the crowds were searching for Him. They came to Him and tried to keep Him from leaving them.

Since they could not find a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the mat through the roof tiles into the middle of the crowd before Jesus.

“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! Take note—your reward is great in heaven, for this is the way their ancestors used to treat the prophets.

Woe to you
when all people speak well of you,
for this is the way their ancestors
used to treat the false prophets.

Soon afterward He was on His way to a town called Nain. His disciples and a large crowd were traveling with Him.

This is the one it is written about:

Look, I am sending My messenger
ahead of You;
he will prepare Your way before You.

(And when all the people, including the tax collectors, heard this, they acknowledged God’s way of righteousness, because they had been baptized with John’s baptism.

As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who, when they have heard, go on their way and are choked with worries, riches, and pleasures of life, and produce no mature fruit.

He sent messengers ahead of Him, and on the way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make preparations for Him.

In the same way, a Levite, when he arrived at the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

As you are going with your adversary to the ruler, make an effort to settle with him on the way. Then he won’t drag you before the judge, the judge hand you over to the bailiff, and the bailiff throw you into prison.

He went through one town and village after another, teaching and making His way to Jerusalem.

In the same way, therefore, every one of you who does not say good-bye to all his possessions cannot be My disciple.

I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people who don’t need repentance.

I tell you, in the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”

So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him.

And being in torment in Hades, he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off, with Lazarus at his side.

In the same way, when you have done all that you were commanded, you should say, ‘We are good-for-nothing slaves; we’ve only done our duty.’”

And He told him, “Get up and go on your way. Your faith has made you well.”

So running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus, since He was about to pass that way.

Every day He was teaching in the temple complex. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people were looking for a way to destroy Him,

but they could not find a way to do it, because all the people were captivated by what they heard.

Then the scribes and the chief priests looked for a way to get their hands on Him that very hour, because they knew He had told this parable against them, but they feared the people.

They questioned Him, “Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and You don’t show partiality, but teach truthfully the way of God.

and the third took her. In the same way, all seven died and left no children.

In the same way, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near.

The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put Him to death, because they were afraid of the people.

In the same way He also took the cup after supper and said, “This cup is the new covenant established by My blood; it is shed for you.

He went out and made His way as usual to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed Him.

Therefore, I will have Him whipped and then release Him.”

Now that same day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem.