Jesus and Martha

38  Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him as a guest. 39  She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he said. 40  But Martha was distracted with all the preparations she had to make, so she came up to him and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work alone? Tell her to help me.” 41  But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things, 42  but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the best part; it will not be taken away from her.”

11  Now Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he stopped, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 2  So he said to them, “When you pray, say:

Father, may your name be honored;

may your kingdom come.

3  Give us each day our daily bread,

4  and forgive us our sins,

for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.

And do not lead us into temptation.”

5  Then he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6  because a friend of mine has stopped here while on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him.’ 7  Then he will reply from inside, ‘Do not bother me. The door is already shut, and my children and I are in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything.’ 8  I tell you, even though the man inside will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of the first man’s sheer persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.

9 “So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 10  For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11  What father among you, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? 12  Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13  If you then, although you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”