Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord,

they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him

People of the whole Judean countryside

and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River

as they acknowledged their sins.

Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

While he was still speaking, behold,

a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."

We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

But though you are master of might, you judge with clemency, and with much lenience you govern us; for power, whenever you will, attends you.

For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear.

Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.