Luke 20:1-8

¹ On one of those days, as he was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the Good News, the priests and scribes came to him with the elders. ² They asked him, “Tell us: by what authority do you do these things? Or who is giving you this authority?” ³ He answered them, “I also will ask you one question. Tell me: ⁴ the baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?” ⁵ They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ ⁶ But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.” ⁷ They answered that they didn’t know where it was from. ⁸ Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

2 Timothy 4:9-22

⁹ Be diligent to come to me soon, ¹⁰ for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. ¹¹ Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. ¹² But I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. ¹³ Bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when you come, and the books, especially the parchments. ¹⁴ Alexander, the coppersmith, did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds, ¹⁵ of whom you also must beware; for he greatly opposed our words. ¹⁶ At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them. ¹⁷ But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. ¹⁸ And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom; to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. ¹⁹ Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus. ²⁰ Erastus remained at Corinth, but I left Trophimus at Miletus sick. ²¹ Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers. ²² The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.