Philemon 7–20; Psalm 146:7–10; Luke 17:2–20

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Philemon 7–20

For I have derived much joy and kcomfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints lhave been refreshed through you.

Paul’s Plea for Onesimus

Accordingly, mthough I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do nwhat is required, yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to youI, Paul, an old man and now oa prisoner also for Christ Jesus 10 I appeal to you for pmy child, qOnesimus,1 rwhose father I became in my imprisonment. 11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me son your behalf tduring my imprisonment for the gospel, 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be uby compulsion but of your own accord. 15 For this perhaps is why vhe was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16 wno longer as a bondservant2 but more than a bondservant, as xa beloved brotherespecially to me, but how much more to you, yboth in the flesh and in the Lord.

17 So if you consider me zyour partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 aI, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay itto say nothing of your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. bRefresh my heart in Christ.


Psalm 146:7–10

ywho executes justice for the oppressed,

zwho gives food to the hungry.

aThe Lord sets the prisoners free;

bthe Lord opens the eyes of the blind.

cThe Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;

dthe Lord loves the righteous.

eThe Lord watches over the sojourners;

fhe upholds the widow and the fatherless,

but gthe way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

10  hThe Lord will reign forever,

your God, O Zion, to all generations.

nPraise the Lord!


Luke 17:2–20

xIt would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.1 Pay attention to yourselves! yIf your brother sins, zrebuke him, and if he repents, aforgive him, and if he sins against you bseven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, I repent, you must forgive him.

Increase Our Faith

cThe apostles said to the Lord, dIncrease our faith! And the Lord said, eIf you had faith like fa grain of mustard seed, you could say to this gmulberry tree, Be uprooted and planted in the sea, and it would obey you.

Unworthy Servants

Will any one of you who has a servant2 plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, Come at once and recline at table? Will he not rather say to him, Prepare supper for me, and hdress properly,3 and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, We are iunworthy servants;4 we have only done what was our duty.

Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers

11 jOn the way to Jerusalem khe was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers,5 lwho stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 14 When he saw them he said to them, Go and mshow yourselves to the priests. And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, npraising God with a loud voice; 16 and ohe fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was pa Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, Were not qten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and rgive praise to God except this sforeigner? 19 And he said to him, Rise and go your way; tyour faith has tmade you well.6

The Coming of the Kingdom

20 Being asked by the Pharisees uwhen the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, The kingdom of God vis not coming in ways that can be observed,