At the Home of Martha and Mary

³⁸ As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha^(A) opened her home to him.

³⁹ She had a sister called Mary,^(A) who sat at the Lord’s feet^(B) listening to what he said.

⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care^(A) that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

⁴¹ “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried^(A) and upset about many things,

⁴² but few things are needed—or indeed only one.^[a](A) Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

²⁷ As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.”^(A)

²⁸ He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God^(A) and obey it.”^(B)