16. "Anyone who listens to you listens to me. Anyone who does not accept you does not accept me. And anyone who does not accept me does not accept the One who sent me."
17. The 72 returned with joy. They said, "Lord, even the demons obey us when we speak in your name."
18. Jesus replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
19. I have given you authority to walk all over snakes and scorpions. You will be able to destroy all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you.
20. But do not be glad when the evil spirits obey you. Instead, be glad that your names are written in heaven."
21. At that time Jesus was full of joy through the Holy Spirit. He said, "I praise you, Father. You are Lord of heaven and earth. You have hidden these things from the wise and educated. But you have shown them to little children. Yes, Father. This is what you wanted.
22. "My Father has given all things to me. The Father is the only one who knows who the Son is. And the only ones who know the Father are the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to make the Father known."
23. Then Jesus turned to his disciples. He said to them in private, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.
24. I tell you, many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see. But they didn't see it. They wanted to hear what you hear. But they didn't hear it."
25. One day an authority on the law stood up to put Jesus to the test. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to receive eternal life?"
26. "What is written in the Law?" Jesus replied. "How do you understand it?"
27. He answered, " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your strength and with all your mind.' (Deuteronomy 6:5) And, 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.' " (Leviticus 19:18)