Third Sunday after the Epiphany

1Verse 1. Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations: 2Verse 2. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned. 3Verse 3. You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. The people rejoice before You as they rejoice at harvest time, as men rejoice in dividing the plunder. 4Verse 4. For as in the day of Midian You have shattered the yoke of their burden, the bar across their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor.

10Verse 10. I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction. 11Verse 11. My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12Verse 12. What I mean is this: Individuals among you are saying, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13Verse 13. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? 14Verse 14. I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15Verse 15. so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. 16Verse 16. Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that I do not remember if I baptized anyone else. 17Verse 17. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with words of wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 18Verse 18. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

12Verse 12. When Jesus heard that John had been imprisoned, He withdrew to Galilee. 13Verse 13. Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14Verse 14. to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 15Verse 15. “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles — 16Verse 16. the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.” 17Verse 17. From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” 18Verse 18. As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19Verse 19. “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 20Verse 20. And at once they left their nets and followed Him. 21Verse 21. Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them, 22Verse 22. and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him. 23Verse 23. Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.