1 And it happened soon after this that Jesus went through one town and village after another, preaching and proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God. [Traveling] with Him were the twelve apostles
2 and certain women who had been healed from [domination by] evil spirits and diseases. [These women were] Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven evil spirits had been driven out,
3 and Joanna, the wife of Chuzas, Herod’s property manager, and Susanna and many others. These [all] had provided the material support for the group from their own means.
4 Then when a large crowd assembled and people from every town were coming to Jesus, He told them this parable [i.e., a brief story to illustrate His teaching]:
5 A farmer went out [to his field] to plant grain. And as he sowed [i.e., scattering seeds by hand], some of it landed along side of the road; it was stepped on by people and [eventually] birds of the sky came and ate it.
6 And other [seed] fell on rocky ground and as soon as it started to grow, it [quickly] withered away, because it had no moisture.
7 And other [seed] fell among thorns, which grew up with it and [eventually] choked out [the tender sprouts].
8 And [still] other [seed] fell into fertile soil; it grew and produced a crop of one hundred times [as much as was planted]. As He said these things, He called out, “The person who has ears to hear with ought to listen [to this] carefully.”
9 Then Jesus’ disciples asked Him what this parable meant.
10 And He said to them, “You [disciples] are being given an understanding of the secrets of the kingdom of God, but the rest of the people [are being told] in parables, so that [even though they appear to be] seeing, they will not [actually] see; and [even though they seem to] hear, they will not understand.
11 Now [the meaning of] the parable is this: The seed represents the word of God.
12 And those people [represented by the seed falling] along side of the road are those who have heard the word [of God], but the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they do not believe it and receive salvation.
13 And those people [represented by the seed falling] on rocky ground are those who, upon hearing the word [of God], accept it gladly, but since they have no root [system], they believe it for [only] awhile, and [then] in times of trial fall away [from God].
14 And those people [represented by the seed] that fell among thorns are the ones who have heard [the word], and as they go about their business, they become choked by worry, by money and by worldly pleasures, and produce no mature crop.
15 And those people [represented by seed falling] in the fertile soil are those who possess a good and honest heart when they hear the word [of God]. They hold on to it and patiently [continue until they] produce a crop.
16 And no one lights an [olive oil] lamp and then covers it with a basket or puts it under a bed. But he places it on a stand so that those entering [the house] will see [by] the light.
17 For there is nothing done in obscurity that will not be made known [openly], and nothing done secretly that will not [eventually] become known and be revealed.
18 Pay attention to how you listen, for to the person who [already] has something, [more] will be given, but from the person who has [virtually] nothing, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”
19 Then Jesus’ mother and [half-] brothers came to Him, but they could not get near Him because of the [large] crowd.
20 And it was told to Him [by someone], “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside wanting to see you.”
21 But He replied to them, “My mother and my brothers are those people who hear God’s word and obey it.”
22 Now it happened on one of those days that Jesus entered a boat with His disciples. He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side” [i.e., the east side of Lake Galilee]; so they launched out.
23 But while they were sailing, Jesus fell asleep. A windstorm blew down on the lake and [the boat] began filling with water so they were in great danger [of sinking].
24 The disciples approached Jesus and woke Him, shouting, “Master, Master, we are sinking.” And He woke up and spoke sternly to the wind and the raging water; [then] the storm [immediately] stopped and [everything] became calm.
25 Then He said to the disciples, “Where is your faith?” They became afraid and were amazed, saying to one another, “Who can this [man] be, that he can even command the winds and the water and they obey him?”
26 [Finally] they arrived at the district of the Gerasenes, which is opposite [i.e., across the lake from the province of] Galilee. [Note: Matt. 8:28 says ‘Gadara.’ Geresa and Gadara were two towns about twelve miles apart in the same region east of Lake Galilee].
27 And when He stepped out [of the boat] onto the shore, He was met by a certain man from the town, who was dominated by evil spirits. He had not worn any clothes for a long time and lived in the graveyard instead of a house.
28 And when he saw Jesus, he fell at His feet [i.e., in worship. See Mark 5:6] and shouted out with a loud voice saying, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Highest God? I beg you, do not torture me.”
29 For Jesus was commanding the evil spirits to be driven out of the man, because they had been controlling him for a long time. The man was continually being guarded and his hands and feet were bound with chains. [Sometimes] he broke loose from the chains and was driven into the desert by the evil spirits.
30 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, “ [My name is] ‘Legion’” [Note: This word means a number consisting of between 5,000 and 6,000], for many evil spirits had entered the man.
31 And the evil spirits begged Jesus not to require them to go away into the “pit” [Note: This appears to be the place reserved for the devil and his evil spirits. See Rev. 9:1-11; 20:1-3].
32 Now a herd of many [wild?] hogs was grazing on a [nearby] mountain, so the evil spirits begged Jesus to give them permission to enter [the bodies of] the hogs. So, He gave them permission [to do it].
33 Then the evil spirits went out of the man and entered the hogs. The herd [immediately] rushed down the cliff into the lake and was drowned.
34 And when those who had been grazing the hogs saw what had happened, they ran and told it in the town and [around] the country.
35 People went out to see [i.e., to find out] what had happened. And [when] they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the evil spirits had been driven out sitting down at Jesus’ feet with his clothes on and perfectly sane, they were afraid.
36 Those who saw this told others how the man dominated by evil spirits was restored.
37 Then all the people around the district of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave their area because they were gripped with great fear. So, He entered a boat and returned.
38 But the man from whom the evil spirits had been driven out begged Jesus to allow him to travel with Him, but Jesus sent him away, saying,
39 “Return to your house and tell people about the great things God has done for you.” So, he went on his way, proclaiming throughout the whole town [i.e., Gerasa. See verse 26] the great things Jesus had done for him.
40 Then as Jesus returned [i.e., to the northwest shore of the lake, probably to the vicinity of Capernaum], a crowd was waiting for Him and welcomed Him.
41 And just then an official of the [Jewish] synagogue named Jairus came to Him and fell at His feet [i.e., worshiping. See Matt. 9:18] and begged Him to go to his house,
42 for the official’s only daughter, who was about twelve years old, was dying. As Jesus was going, large crowds pressed in on Him.
43 Then a woman, who had been bleeding for twelve years, and who had spent all her income on doctors without being healed by any of them,
44 came up behind Jesus and touched the edge of His robe. Immediately her bleeding stopped.
45 Jesus said, “Who touched me?” And when everyone denied [doing it], Peter and the disciples said, “Master, many people are pressing in on you and crowding you.”
46 But Jesus replied, “Someone did touch me, for I perceived that [healing] power had gone out from me.”
47 And when the woman realized that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling [with fear] and fell down in front of Him, declaring before all the people why she had touched Him and how she had been immediately healed.
48 Then Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
49 While He was still speaking, someone came from the synagogue official’s house, saying [to him], “Your daughter is dead; do not bother the Teacher.”
50 But when Jesus heard this, He said [to the man], “Do not be afraid. Just believe [i.e., in my power to restore your daughter] and she will be made well [i.e., restored to life].”
51 And when Jesus came to the [synagogue official’s] house, He did not allow anyone to enter with Him except Peter, James, John and the girl’s father and mother.
52 And all the people [in the house] were crying and beating their chests in mourning, so Jesus said [to them], “Do not cry, for the girl is not [really] dead but [only] sleeping.”
53 And they laughed at Him scornfully, knowing that she was [already] dead.
54 But taking her by the hand, He called to her, saying, “Child, get up.”
55 And immediately her spirit returned and she stood up. Then Jesus ordered them to give her something to eat.
56 Her parents were amazed, but Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.
Bible verses about "wholeness" | AUV
Luke 8:1-56
Mark 16:17-18
17 And these [miraculous] signs will attend [the conversion of] those who believe. [Note: This refers to the supernatural miracles performed by the apostles and their associates during the apostolic age. See verse 20 and Acts 2:43]. In my name [i.e., by my authority], they will drive out evil spirits; they will speak in languages [supernaturally];
18 they will pick up snakes [i.e., without being harmed]; and if they happen to drink anything poisonous, it will not harm them; they will place hands on sick people [i.e., with prayer] and they will be healed.”
1 Thessalonians 1:3-9
3 We continually remember, in the presence of our God and Father, the work produced by your faith, the labor prompted by your love, and your endurance motivated by your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
4 We know, my brothers who are dearly loved by God, about your election [i.e., that you were chosen by God because of your obedient faith],
5 for our Gospel came to you, not merely in words, but also in power, in [a demonstration of] the Holy Spirit [See I Cor. 2:4] and with [“our” or “your”] deep conviction [of its truth]. You people know what kind of men we were while living among you for your benefit.
6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord. [And even though] you suffered much affliction, you welcomed the message with joy [given to you] by the Holy Spirit,
7 and so became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. [Note: These two provinces make up present-day Greece].
8 For the Lord’s message sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith toward God [also] spread everywhere [else], so that we do not have to say anything [about you].
9 For those people themselves report on what kind of a reception we had from you, and how you people turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God.
Revelation 21:1-22:21
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, because the first heaven and the first earth [had] passed away, and there was no longer any ocean.
2 And I [also] saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look, the Tabernacle of God [i.e., God’s presence] is with people and He will live with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be among them {{Some ancient manuscripts add “and will be their God”}}.
4 And He will wipe away all the tears from their eyes, and there will not be death anymore, or mourning, or crying, or pain anymore, for these old things have passed away.”
5 Then the One who is seated on the throne [i.e., Christ, or God] said, “Listen, I am making everything new!” Then He said, “Write [this], because these words are trustworthy and true.”
6 Then He said to me, “These things have already happened. [Note: These words express the certainty of what has been predicted in this book, even though not all the events had actually taken place yet]. I am the Alpha and the Omega [See note at 1:8], the beginning and the end. I will give the person who is [spiritually] thirsty [a drink] from the spring of water of life without his having to pay for it.
7 The person who has victory [in the Christian life] will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be my child.
8 But the place for cowards, and unbelievers, and disgusting people [i.e., because of their terrible sins], and murderers, and sexually immoral people, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, will be the lake that burns with fire and sulphur. This is the second death.”
9 Then one of the seven angels who held the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues [i.e., judgments, See 15:1], came and spoke to me, saying, “Come here, [and] I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.”
10 So, he transported me away in [i.e., under the influence of] the Holy Spirit, to a very high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.
11 It had the splendor of God [shining from it], and was as brilliant as a very precious stone, as crystal-clear as jasper.
12 It had a very high wall [around it], with twelve angels [stationed] at its twelve gates. The names written on the gates were those of the twelve tribes of the Israelites.
13 There were three gates on the east side [of the wall]; three gates on the north side; three gates on the south side; and three gates on the west side.
14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb [were inscribed on them].
15 And the angel who spoke to me [See verse 9] had a golden measuring stick with which to measure the city, its gates and its wall.
16 Now the city is laid out as a perfect square; its length is the same as its width. So, he measured the city with the stick [and found it to be] fifteen hundred miles each way; its length and width and height all being the same.
17 And he measured its wall [and found it to be] two hundred and sixteen feet [high], according to human measurements which the angel was using.
18 The material for the city’s wall was jasper, and the city [itself] was made of pure gold, as clear as glass.
19 The foundation of the city’s wall was decorated with all kinds of precious stones [Note: Not all of the following stones listed can be accurately identified today]. The first foundation stone was jasper [i.e., a bluish-colored stone]; the second was sapphire; the third was chalcedony [i.e., a translucent quartz of pale blue or gray]; the fourth was emerald;
20 the fifth was sardonyx [i.e., an orange-colored stone similar to chalcedony]; the sixth was sardius [i.e., a reddish-colored stone also called carnelian]; the seventh was chrysolite [i.e., a yellowish- or greenish-colored stone]; the eighth was beryl [i.e., a stone of bluish-green color]; the ninth was topaz [i.e., a yellow or bluish-yellow stone]; the tenth was chrysoprase [i.e., a stone of greenish-gold color]; the eleventh was jacinth [i.e., a stone of purple or reddish-blue color]; the twelfth was amethyst [i.e., a purple- or violet-colored stone].
21 And the twelve gates were made of twelve pearls, with each gate being made of a single pearl. And the street of the city was made of pure gold, as transparent as glass.
22 But I did not see a Temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the city’s Temple.
23 And the city does not need the sun or the moon to illuminate it, for the splendor of God provides the light for it, and its lamp is the Lamb.
24 And [the saved people of] the nations will walk in the city’s light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.
25 And the gates of the city will never be closed during the daytime (for there will never be nighttime there).
26 And they [i.e., the kings of the earth, Verse 24] will bring the splendor and honor of [the saved people of] the nations into the city. [Note: This verse may involve a slightly different idea from verse 24].
27 And there will never be anything [morally] unclean allowed to enter it, nor any person who practices disgusting behavior [i.e., probably such sins as sexual perversion], or [any person] who is a liar. But the only ones [allowed there] are those [whose names are] recorded in the Lamb’s book of life.
Revelation 22:1-21
1 Then the angel [See 21:9] showed me the river of the water of life. It was crystal-clear as it flowed out of the throne of God and the Lamb,
2 and down the middle of the city’s street. And on each side of the river stood the tree of life; it produced twelve crops of fruit, yielding a crop every month. And the leaves of the tree [served as medicine] for healing the nations.
3 And there will no longer be any curse [in the city], and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there. And God’s servants will serve Him,
4 and they will see His face, and His name will be [written] on their foreheads.
5 And it will never be nighttime there anymore; they will not need the light of a lamp or of the sun, for the Lord will give them light. And they [i.e., God’s servants] will rule [with Christ, See 20:4] forever and ever.
6 Then the angel [See 21:9] said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His servants [i.e., through the apostle John] the things that must happen soon [See 1:1].
7 And listen, I [i.e., Christ] am coming quickly! The person who obeys the words of the prophecy of this book is blessed.”
8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me.
9 But he said to me, “Do not do that; I am [only] a fellow-servant with you and with your brothers, the prophets, and with those who obey the words of this book. You should worship God.”
10 Then the angel said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near [i.e., for the events of its prophecies to begin to happen].
11 The person who is doing wrong should continue to do wrong [if he wants to]; and the person who is [morally] filthy should continue to be [morally] filthy [if he wants to]; and the person who does what is right should continue to do right [if he wants to]; and the person who is living a holy life should continue to live holy [if he wants to].”
12 “Listen,” [says Jesus], “I am coming quickly! And my reward is with me to pay [back] every person for what he has done.
13 I am the Alpha and the Omega [See note at 1:8], the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
14 Those who wash their robes are blessed because [then] they will have the right to [eat from] the tree of life, and will [be able to] enter the city through the gates.
15 On the outside [of the city] are the dogs [Note: This probably refers to people who practiced sexual perversions. See Deut. 23:17] and the sorcerers, and the sexually immoral people, and the murderers, and the idolaters and every person who loves and practices falsehood.
16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you people about these things for [the benefit of] the churches [See 1:4]. I am the Root and the descendant of King David, the bright Morning Star.”
17 And the Holy Spirit and the bride [i.e., the church. See 21:9] say, “Come!” And the person who hears [this] should say “Come.” And the person who is [spiritually] thirsty should come; [and] whoever wants to should come and drink the water of life without having to pay for it.
18 I testify to every person who hears the words of the prophecy of this book [Note: This is probably Jesus speaking, but could possibly be John]. If anyone adds to these words, God will add to him the calamities described in this book.
19 And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
20 The One who testifies about these things [i.e., Jesus] says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” May this be so. Come [ahead] Lord Jesus!
21 May the unearned favor of the Lord Jesus be with all of you. [Note: Some ancient manuscripts say “with God’s holy people”]. May it be so.
Matthew 10:1
1 Jesus then called His twelve apostles [see next verse] to Him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal all kinds of diseases and illnesses.
John 14:12
12 Truly, truly, I tell you, the person who believes in me will perform the deeds that I do also; and he will perform even greater deeds than these, because I am going to the Father. [Note: The “greater deeds” are probably evangelizing the world].
Colossians 1:17
17 And He existed before all things and all things are held together by Him.
1 Peter 5:10
10 And the God who bestows every unearned favor [upon His people], who invited you to partake of His eternal splendor through Christ Jesus, will restore, confirm, strengthen and stabilize you people [in the faith], after you have gone through a brief time of suffering.
John 12:25
25 The person who loves his [earthly] life will [eventually] lose it [forever], but the person who hates his life in this world will retain never ending life.
Romans 12:1
1 So, I urge you, brothers, because God is so merciful [to us], to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, [fully] dedicated and very pleasing to God. For this is a reasonable [or spiritual] way for you to worship [or serve] Him.
Philippians 4:13
13 I can do everything through Christ, who gives me the strength.
Colossians 2:9-10
John 16:13
13 However, when the Holy Spirit of truth comes, He will lead you [apostles] into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own authority, but will speak [only] what He hears [from the Father]. And He will tell you about the things that are to come.
James 1:17
17 Every good thing that is given and every perfect gift [received] is from above, coming down from the Father of [heavenly] lights, with whom there can be no change or shifting shadow [i.e., God always remains the same].
John 10:10
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that people could have life to its fullest.
James 1:1-27
1 [This letter is from] James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, [who sends] greetings to the twelve tribes which are scattered throughout the world. [Note: This refers to Christians, probably of Jewish descent].
2 Consider it [an occasion for] much joy, my brothers, when you experience various trials,
3 because you [should] know that when your faith is tested, it produces perseverance.
4 And you [should] allow your perseverance to complete its work, so that you will be perfect and complete, [and] not lacking in anything.
5 But if any one of you lacks wisdom, he should pray to God, who gives to everyone generously and does not begrudge [the person who asks], and it will be given to him.
6 But he should ask in faith, without doubting, because the person who doubts [that he will receive wisdom] is like an ocean wave that is driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For that [doubting] person should not think that he will receive anything from the Lord [through prayer],
8 because he is double-minded and undecided in all that he does [i.e., he cannot make up his mind and follow through about anything].
9 But the person [who must live] in humble circumstances should be happy over being lifted up [spiritually by God].
10 And the wealthy person [should be happy] that he is humbled [by God], because he will pass away like a flower [blossoming] from grass.
11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass [so that] its flower [blossoms] fall off, and its beautiful appearance is destroyed. In the same way, the wealthy person will fade away as he goes about his business [affairs].
12 The person who perseveres under trials is blessed, because when he has been approved by God, he will receive the crown of [never ending] life, which God has promised to those who love Him.
13 No one should say when he is tempted, “God is tempting me,” because God cannot be tempted by evil and He does not tempt anyone.
14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own evil desire.
15 Then, when the evil desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin. And when sin is fully grown, it produces [spiritual] death.
16 [So], do not be deceived, my dearly loved brothers.
17 Every good thing that is given and every perfect gift [received] is from above, coming down from the Father of [heavenly] lights, with whom there can be no change or shifting shadow [i.e., God always remains the same].
18 It was God’s purpose to bring us into being [spiritually] by the message of truth, so that we could become a kind of “firstfruits” of those He created. [Note: “Firstfruits” here suggests either that Christians are the best of all of God’s creatures (Num. 18:12), or that they were the first to be converted, with many more to come].
19 You people [already] know this [or, “you should know this”], my dearly loved brothers. However, every person should be quick to listen, slow to talk and slow in becoming angry.
20 For the anger of people does not produce what God considers to be right.
21 Therefore, you should put away [from you] all moral filth and overflowing wickedness and humbly receive the word [of God], planted within you [by the Holy Spirit. See John 16:8], which is capable of saving your souls.
22 But you should not deceive yourselves by just listening [to God’s word] instead of doing what the word teaches.
23 For if anyone is [only] a listener to the word and does not practice it, he is like a person who sees his natural face in a mirror,
24 and [then after] he sees himself, [he] goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
25 But the person who looks closely into the perfect law that brings freedom, and continues to do so, is not a listener who forgets [what he hears], but someone who does the work [it requires]. This person will be blessed for doing so.
26 If anyone considers himself to be religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, this person is self-deceived and his religion is worthless.
27 Religion that is pure and uncorrupted in the eyes of [our] God and Father involves taking care of orphans and widows in their distress and keeping oneself unstained by the world.