Mark 6:7–13 — A Glaswegian Gospel paraphrase by Paddy Patterson

They were staunin just aff the main street, near the wee patch o grass that had never quite become a park.

Flats behind them. Washing hingin two floors up, movin like it had opinions.

Jesus gaithered them in close. Nae big speech. Just that way He had o sayin things like they were already settled.

“Right,” He said. “Yous are headin oot.”

The traffic kept hummin. Somebody’s dug barked fae a balcony.

“Two by two.”

There was that slight shift. Bodies rebalancin. Quick glances that tried tae look accidental.

He named them. No drama. Just pairs.

“Tell folk the Kingdom’s near,” He said. “Tell them it’s time tae turn round.”

They nodded.

“If somebody’s in a mess, pray wi them. If something’s got a grip oan them that shouldnae, don’t back aff.”

That sat there a second.

Then He says, calm as ye like, “Dinnae take anythin.”

A pause.

“Nae bag.”

Somebody instinctively patted their side.

“Nae breid.”

That one landed heavier.

“Nae money.”

A couple o them checked their pockets anyway.

“Just wear yer trainers. That’ll dae.”

They looked doon at their feet like they were seein them for the first time.

“Knock doors. If somebody lets ye in, stay. If they dinnae, just leave it. Shake it aff. Dinnae carry it wi ye.”

One of them glanced at the pavement. Grey concrete. No much dust, right enough.

They nodded. Aw together. Brave faces.

Pairs began movin aff between the blocks. Past the swings that squeaked whether there were weans on them or no. Past the close wi the broken buzzer that only worked if ye hit it twice.

Nae bag.
Nae breid.
Nae money.

Just two at a time, carryin nothin but what He’d said.

Jesus stayed where He was.

Watched them disappear up the first stairwell, then the next.

The closes swallowed them quick enough.

And the scheme, which had looked ordinary five minutes earlier, suddenly felt like it was waitin on somethin.

If this gied ye a smile, there’s mair here. This is pairt o the If Jesus wiz a Weegie series.
If ye’re lookin for somethin heavier, that lives here.

There’s other rooms in this place anaw.