9. Maybe the tree will produce fruit next year. If the tree still doesn’t produce fruit, then you can cut it down.’”
10. Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath day.
11. In the synagogue there was a woman who had an evil spirit in her. This spirit had made the woman a cripple for 18 years. Her back was always bent; she could not stand up straight.
12. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, your sickness has left you!”
13. Jesus put his hands on her. Immediately she was able to stand up straight and began praising God.
14. The synagogue leader was angry because Jesus healed on the Sabbath day. He said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come to be healed on one of those days. Don’t come for healing on the Sabbath day.”
15. The Lord answered, “You people are hypocrites! All of you untie your work animals and lead them to drink water every day—even on the Sabbath day!
16. This woman that I healed is our Jewish sister. But Satan has held her for 18 years. Surely it is not wrong for her to be freed from her sickness on a Sabbath day!”
17. When Jesus said this, all the men who were criticizing him were ashamed. And all the people were happy for the wonderful things Jesus was doing.
18. Then Jesus said, “What is God’s kingdom like? What can I compare it with?
19. God’s kingdom is like the seed of the mustard plant. A man plants this seed in his garden. The seed grows and becomes a tree. The wild birds build nests on its branches.”