Matthew 9:18-38

18A ⌞synagogue⌟ leader came to Jesus while he was talking to John’s disciples. He bowed down in front of Jesus and said, “My daughter just died. Come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.”

19Jesus and his disciples got up and followed the man.

20Then a woman came up behind Jesus and touched the edge of his clothes. She had been suffering from chronic bleeding for twelve years.

21She thought, “If I only touch his clothes, I’ll get well.”

22When Jesus turned and saw her he said, “Cheer up, daughter! Your faith has made you well.” At that very moment the woman became well.

23Jesus came to the ⌞synagogue⌟ leader’s house. He saw flute players and a noisy crowd.

24He said to them, “Leave! The girl is not dead. She’s sleeping.” But they laughed at him.

25When the crowd had been put outside, Jesus went in, took her hand, and the girl came back to life.

26The news about this spread throughout that region.

27When Jesus left that place, two blind men followed him. They shouted, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.”

28Jesus went into a house, and the blind men followed him. He said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they answered.

29He touched their eyes and said, “What you have believed will be done for you!”

30Then they could see. He warned them, “Don’t let anyone know about this!”

31But they went out and spread the news about him throughout that region.

32As they were leaving, some people brought a man to Jesus. The man was unable to talk because he was possessed by a demon.

33But as soon as the demon was forced out, the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed and said, “We have never seen anything like this in Israel!”

34But the Pharisees said, “He forces demons out of people with the help of the ruler of demons.”

35Jesus went to all the towns and villages. He taught in the synagogues and spread the Good News of the kingdom. He also cured every disease and sickness.

36When he saw the crowds, he felt sorry for them. They were troubled and helpless like sheep without a shepherd.

37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is large, but the workers are few.

38So ask the Lord who gives this harvest to send workers to harvest his crops.”