Thursday, July 9, 2026

¹"When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

²They called to them, so they went from them. They sacrificed to the Baals, and burned incense to engraved images.

³Yet I taught Ephraim to walk. I took them by their arms, but they didn't know that I healed them.

⁴I drew them with cords of a man, with ties of love; and I was to them like those who lift up the yoke on their necks; and I bent down to him and I fed him.

⁸"How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within me, my compassion is aroused.

⁹I will not execute the fierceness of my anger. I will not return to destroy Ephraim, for I am God, and not man—the Holy One among you. I will not come in wrath.

²Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock, you who sit above the cherubim, shine out.

³Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, stir up your might! Come to save us!

¹⁵Turn again, we beg you, God of Armies. Look down from heaven, and see, and visit this vine,

¹⁶the stock which your right hand planted, the branch that you made strong for yourself.

⁷As you go, preach, saying, 'The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!'

⁸Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give.

⁹Don't take any gold, silver, or brass in your money belts.

¹⁰Take no bag for your journey, neither two coats, nor sandals, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food.

¹¹Into whatever city or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you go on.

¹²As you enter into the household, greet it.

¹³If the household is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it isn't worthy, let your peace return to you.

¹⁴Whoever doesn't receive you or hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet.

¹⁵Most certainly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.