the First Week of Advent
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Legacy Standard Bible
Luke 8
Many Women Contribute to Jesus' Ministry
1 And it happened that soon afterward He was going around from one city and village to another, (C1)preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him,2 and also (C1)some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: (C2)Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, (C1)Herod's (C2)manager, and Susanna, and many others who were ministering to them from their possessions.
The Parable of the Sower
4 (C1)Now when a large crowd was coming together, and those from the various cities were journeying to Him, He spoke by way of a parable:5 "The sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell beside the road, and it was trampled under foot and the birds of the (F1)air ate it up.6 "And other seed fell on rock and as soon as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.7 "And other seed fell among the thorns, and when the thorns grew up with it, they choked it out.8 "And other seed fell into the good soil; and growing up, it produced a crop one hundred times as great." As He said these things, He would call out, "(C1)He who has ears to hear, (F1)let him hear."
The Parable of the Sower Explained
9 (C1)And His disciples began questioning Him as to what this parable meant.10 And He said, "(C1)To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that (C2)SEEING THEY MAY NOT SEE, AND HEARING THEY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND.
11 "Now the parable is this: (C1)the seed is the word of God.12 "And those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved.13 "And those on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, and these have no root; (F1)they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.14 "And the seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of life, and do not bear ripe fruit.15 "But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with (F1)perseverance.
A Lampstand and the Light
16 "Now (C1)no one after lighting a lamp covers it with a container or puts it under a bed, but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light.17 "(C1)For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light.18 "So beware how you listen, (C1)for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he (F1)thinks he has shall be taken away from him."
Jesus' Mother and Brothers
19 (C1)And His mother and brothers came to Him, and they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd.20 And it was reported to Him, "Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wishing to see You."21 But He answered and said to them, "My mother and My brothers are these (C1)who hear the word of God and do it."
Jesus Calms a Storm
22 (C1)Now it happened that on one of those days He and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, "Let us go over to the other side of (C2)the lake." So they set sail.23 But as they were sailing along, He fell asleep, and a windstorm descended on (C1)the lake, and they began to be swamped and in danger.24 And they came to Him and woke Him up, saying, "(C1)Master, Master, we are perishing!" And He woke up and (C2)rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and (F1)it became calm.25 And He said to them, "Where is your faith?" They were fearful and marveled, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?"
Jesus Saves a Man from Many Demons
26 (C1)Then they sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee.27 And when He came out onto the land, a man from the city met Him, one who was possessed with demons and had not put on any garment for a long time, and was not living in a house, but in the tombs.28 Now seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice, "(F1)(C1)What do I have to do with You, Jesus, Son of (C2)the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me."29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had seized him many times, and he was bound with chains and shackles, being kept under guard. And yet breaking his bonds, he was driven by the demon into the desolate regions.30 And Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" And he said, "(C1)Legion," for many demons had entered him.31 And they were pleading with Him not to command them to go away into (C1)the abyss.
32 Now there was a herd of many swine feeding there on the mountain, and the demons pleaded with Him to permit them to enter (F1)the swine. And He gave them permission.33 And when the demons came out of the man, they entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into (C1)the lake and was drowned.
34 And when the herdsmen saw what had happened, they ran away and reported it in the city and in the countryside.35 And the people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting down (C1)at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.36 And those who had seen it reported to them how the man who was (C1)demon-possessed had been (F1)saved.37 And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes and the surrounding district asked Him to leave them, for they were gripped with great fear. And He got into a boat and returned.38 (C1)But the man from whom the demons had gone out was begging Him that he might (F1)accompany Him. But He sent him away, saying,39 "Return to your house and recount what great things God has done for you." So he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.
Jesus Heals a Woman and Jairus' Daughter
40 (C1)And as Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed Him, for they had all been waiting for Him.41 (C1)And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was (F1)(C2)an official of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus' feet, he began to plead with Him to come to his house,42 for he had an (F1)only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was dying. But as He went, the crowds were pressing against Him.
43 And a woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and could not be healed by anyone,44 came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His garment, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped.45 And Jesus said, "Who is the one who touched Me?" And while they were all denying it, Peter said, "(C1)Master, the crowds are surrounding and pressing in on You."46 But Jesus said, "Someone did touch Me, for I knew that (C1)power had gone out of Me."47 And when the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling. And falling down before Him, she declared in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched Him and how she had been immediately healed.48 And He said to her, "Daughter, (C1)your faith has (F1)saved you; (C2)go in peace."
49 While He was still speaking, someone (*)came from the house of (C1)the synagogue official, saying, "Your daughter has died; do not trouble the Teacher anymore."50 But when Jesus heard this, He answered him, "(C1)Do not be afraid any longer; only believe, and she will be (F1)saved."51 So when He came to the house, He did not allow anyone to enter with Him, except Peter and John and James, and the girl's father and mother.52 Now they were all crying and (C1)lamenting for her, but He said, "Stop crying, for she has not died, but (C2)is asleep."53 And they began laughing at Him, knowing that she had died.54 He, however, took her by the hand and called, saying, "Child, arise!"55 And her spirit returned, and she stood up immediately. And He gave orders for something to be given her to eat.56 And her parents were astounded, but He (C1)directed them to tell no one what had happened.
