25 And they arose and went; they entered every town and village on the coast, and everywhere they said, The benedictions of the Christ abide with you forevermore. 26 Now, in a certain town they went up to the synagogue upon the Sabbath day, and Jesus taught. 27 And as he spoke, two men brought on a cot a woman bent near double with disease; she had not risen from her bed for eighteen years without a helping hand. 28 And Jesus laid his hand upon the woman, and he said, Arise, be free from your infirmity. 29 And as he spoke the Word the woman found that she was straight and strong, and she arose and walked and said, Praise God. 30 The ruler of the synagogue was filled with wrath because the healer healed upon the Sabbath day. 31 He did not censure Jesus face to face, but turning to the multitudes he said, 32 You men of Galilee, why do you break the laws of God? There are six days in every week when you may work, and then you may bring the afflicted to be healed. 33 This is the day that God has blessed, the Sabbath day in which men may not work. 34 And Jesus said, You inconsistent scribes and Pharisees! Upon the Sabbath day you take your beasts of burden from their stalls, and lead them forth to eat and drink; is this not work? 35 This daughter of your father Abraham, who has been bound for eighteen years, has come in faith to be made free. 36 Now, tell me, men, is it a crime to break her bonds and set her free upon the Sabbath day? 37 The ruler said no more; the people all rejoiced and said, Behold the Christ! 38 And Jesus spoke a parable; he said, The kingdom of the Christ is like a little seed that one put in the ground; 39 It grew and after many years became a mighty tree, and many people rested in its shade, and birds built nests and reared their young among its leafy boughs. CHAPTER 141. _Jesus speaks words of encouragement. Rebukes an officious Pharisee. Attends a wedding feast. Heals a dropsical man. Rebukes guests who seek chief seats. Relates a parable of a wedding feast._ And Jesus went into another town upon the coast and spoke good words of cheer to those who followed him. 2 And one stood forth and said, Lord, are there few that enter into life? 3 And Jesus said, The way is rough that leads to life; the gate is narrow and is guarded well; but every one who seeks in faith shall find the way, and they who know the Word may enter in. 4 But many seek the way for selfish gain; they pound upon the gate of life; but it is fast. 5 The watchman from the turret says, I know you not; your speech is that of Ashdod, and your robes are those of sin; depart and go your way. 6 And they will go their way with weeping and with gnashing of the teeth. 7 And they will be enraged when they see their father Abraham with Isaac, Jacob and the prophets, resting in the kingdom of the Christ, and they themselves debarred.