and their sight was restored. Jesus spoke sternly to them, "Don't tell this to anyone!"

and gives sight to the blind. He lifts those who have fallen; he loves his righteous people.

When that day comes, the deaf will be able to hear a book being read aloud, and the blind, who have been living in darkness, will open their eyes and see.

Tell everyone who is discouraged, "Be strong and don't be afraid! God is coming to your rescue, coming to punish your enemies."

The lame will leap and dance, and those who cannot speak will shout for joy. Streams of water will flow through the desert;

"I, the LORD, have called you and given you power to see that justice is done on earth. Through you I will make a covenant with all peoples; through you I will bring light to the nations.

You will open the eyes of the blind and set free those who sit in dark prisons.

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has chosen me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed

At that very time Jesus healed many people from their sicknesses, diseases, and evil spirits, and gave sight to many blind people.

He answered John's messengers, "Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind can see, the lame can walk, those who suffer from dreaded skin diseases are made clean, the deaf can hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is preached to the poor.

While Jesus was in Jerusalem during the Passover Festival, many believed in him as they saw the miracles he performed.

One night he went to Jesus and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher sent by God. No one could perform the miracles you are doing unless God were with him."

But I have a witness on my behalf which is even greater than the witness that John gave: what I do, that is, the deeds my Father gave me to do, these speak on my behalf and show that the Father has sent me.

Jesus answered, "I have already told you, but you would not believe me. The deeds I do by my Father's authority speak on my behalf;

But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, you should at least believe my deeds, in order that you may know once and for all that the Father is in me and that I am in the Father."

Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. If not, believe because of the things I do.

I am telling you the truth: those who believe in me will do what I do---yes, they will do even greater things, because I am going to the Father.

"Listen to these words, fellow Israelites! Jesus of Nazareth was a man whose divine authority was clearly proven to you by all the miracles and wonders which God performed through him. You yourselves know this, for it happened here among you.

if we are being questioned today about the good deed done to the lame man and how he was healed,

then you should all know, and all the people of Israel should know, that this man stands here before you completely well through the power of the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth---whom you crucified and whom God raised from death.

Large crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the crippled, the dumb, and many other sick people, whom they placed at Jesus' feet; and he healed them.

The people were amazed as they saw the dumb speaking, the crippled made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they praised the God of Israel.

The blind and the crippled came to him in the Temple, and he healed them.

There at the Beautiful Gate, as it was called, was a man who had been lame all his life. Every day he was carried to the gate to beg for money from the people who were going into the Temple.

They looked straight at him, and Peter said, "Look at us!"

But Peter said to him, "I have no money at all, but I give you what I have: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth I order you to get up and walk!"

he jumped up, stood on his feet, and started walking around. Then he went into the Temple with them, walking and jumping and praising God.

In Lystra there was a crippled man who had been lame from birth and had never been able to walk.

and said in a loud voice, "Stand up straight on your feet!" The man jumped up and started walking around.

When Jesus came down from the hill, large crowds followed him.

Jesus reached out and touched him. "I do want to," he answered. "Be clean!" At once the man was healed of his disease.

Heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, heal those who suffer from dreaded skin diseases, and drive out demons. You have received without paying, so give without being paid.

When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes in dismay and exclaimed, "How can the king of Syria expect me to cure this man? Does he think that I am God, with the power of life and death? It's plain that he is trying to start a quarrel with me!"

So Naaman went down to the Jordan, dipped himself in it seven times, as Elisha had instructed, and he was completely cured. His flesh became firm and healthy like that of a child.

God says, "Summon my people to court. They have eyes, but they are blind; they have ears, but they are deaf !

And all who heard were completely amazed. "How well he does everything!" they exclaimed. "He even causes the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak!"

Jesus noticed that the crowd was closing in on them, so he gave a command to the evil spirit. "Deaf and dumb spirit," he said, "I order you to come out of the boy and never go into him again!"

he said, "Get out, everybody! The little girl is not dead---she is only sleeping!" Then they all started making fun of him.

But as soon as the people had been put out, Jesus went into the girl's room and took hold of her hand, and she got up.

Then he walked over and touched the coffin, and the men carrying it stopped. Jesus said, "Young man! Get up, I tell you!"

They all were filled with fear and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us!" they said; "God has come to save his people!"

After he had said this, he called out in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!"

He came out, his hands and feet wrapped in grave cloths, and with a cloth around his face. "Untie him," Jesus told them, "and let him go."

"Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!

The poor will eat as much as they want; those who come to the LORD will praise him. May they prosper forever!

He rescues the poor who call to him, and those who are needy and neglected.

He has pity on the weak and poor; he saves the lives of those in need.

The Sovereign LORD has filled me with his Spirit. He has chosen me and sent me To bring good news to the poor, To heal the broken-hearted, To announce release to captives And freedom to those in prison.

To give to those who mourn in Zion Joy and gladness instead of grief, A song of praise instead of sorrow. They will be like trees That the LORD himself has planted. They will all do what is right, And God will be praised for what he has done.

I myself created the whole universe! I am pleased with those who are humble and repentant, who fear me and obey me.

Those who bought and sold the sheep hired me, and I became the shepherd of the sheep that were going to be butchered. I took two sticks: one I called "Favor" and the other "Unity." And I took care of the flock.

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has chosen me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed

Listen, my dear friends! God chose the poor people of this world to be rich in faith and to possess the kingdom which he promised to those who love him.