Weekly Scripture March 9

Luke 4:1-13 (NRSVUE)

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness,

2 where for forty days he was tested by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over he was famished.

3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.”

4 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’ ”

5 Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.

6 And the devil said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please.

7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.”

8 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’ ”

9 Then the devil led him to Jerusalem and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here,

10 for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’

11 and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ ”

12 Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”

13 When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.


Luke 18:9-14 (NRSVUE)

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt:

10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’

13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’

14 I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other, for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”