18. While Jesus was saying this, a ruler came. He got down on his knees in front of Jesus. He said, "My daughter has just died. But come and place your hand on her. Then she will live again."
19. Jesus got up and went with him. So did his disciples.
20. Just then a woman came up behind Jesus. She had a sickness that made her bleed. It had lasted for 12 years. She touched the edge of his clothes.
21. She thought, "I only need to touch his clothes. Then I will be healed."
22. Jesus turned and saw her. "Dear woman, don't give up hope," he said. "Your faith has healed you." The woman was healed at that very moment.
23. When Jesus entered the ruler's house, he saw the flute players there. And he saw the noisy crowd.
24. He said, "Go away. The girl is not dead. She is sleeping." But they laughed at him.
25. After the crowd had been sent outside, Jesus went in. He took the girl by the hand, and she got up.
26. News about what Jesus had done spread all over that area.
27. As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him. They called out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!"
28. When Jesus went indoors, the blind men came to him. He asked them, "Do you believe that I can do this?" "Yes, Lord," they replied.
29. Then he touched their eyes. He said, "It will happen to you just as you believed."
30. They could now see again. Jesus strongly warned them, "Be sure that no one knows about this."
31. But they went out and spread the news. They talked about him all over that area.
32. While they were going out, another man was brought to Jesus. A demon controlled him, and he could not speak.
33. When the demon was driven out, the man spoke. The crowd was amazed. They said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel."
34. But the Pharisees said, "He drives out demons by the power of the prince of demons."
35. Jesus went through all the towns and villages. He taught in their synagogues. He preached the good news of the kingdom. And he healed every illness and sickness.
36. When he saw the crowds, he felt deep concern for them. They were beaten down and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
37. Then Jesus said to his disciples, "The harvest is huge. But there are only a few workers.