A reading from the second book of kings.

Naman the army commander of the king of Aram was highly esteemed and respected by the master.

For though the Lord had brought victory to Aram, for through him the Lord had brought victory to Alam.

But valent as he was, the man was a leper.

Now the Armenians had captured and array in the land of Israel, a little girl, who became the servant of Naiman's wife.

If only my master would present himself to the prophet of Samaria, she said to her mistress,

he would cure him of his leprosy naman went and told his lord just as the slave

girl from the land of israel had said go said the king of arim i will send along a letter to the king

of israel so naman set out taking ten silver talons six thousand gold pieces, and ten festal garments.

The king of Israel, he brought the letter, which read, with this letter, I am sending my servant

Naaman to you that you may cure him of his leprosy. When he read the letter, the king of Israel

tore his garments and exclaimed, Am I a God with power over life and death that this man should send someone to me to be cured of leprosy?

Take note.

You can see he is only looking for a quarrel with me.

Now when Alicia, the man of God, heard that the king of Israel had torn his garments, he sent word to the king.

Why have you torn your garments?

Let him come to me and find out that there is a prophet in Israel.

Naiman came with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Alicia's house.

The prophet sent him the message.

Go and wash seven times into Jordan, and your flesh will heal, and then you will be clean.

But Naaman, whenever I went away angry, I thought the Lord His God would move his hand.

I thought that he would surely come out and stand there to invoke the Lord his God,

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