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主警戒門徒

12 這時,有幾萬人聚集,甚至彼此踐踏。耶穌開講,先對門徒說:「你們要防備法利賽人的酵,就是假冒為善。 掩蓋的事沒有不露出來的,隱藏的事沒有不被人知道的。 因此,你們在暗中所說的,將要在明處被人聽見;在內室附耳所說的,將要在房上被人宣揚。 我的朋友,我對你們說,那殺身體以後不能再做什麼的,不要怕他們。 我要指示你們當怕的是誰,當怕那殺了以後又有權柄丟在地獄裡的。我實在告訴你們:正要怕他! 五個麻雀不是賣二分銀子嗎?但在神面前,一個也不忘記。 就是你們的頭髮,也都被數過了。不要懼怕,你們比許多麻雀還貴重。

褻瀆聖靈不得赦免

「我又告訴你們:凡在人面前認我的,人子在神的使者面前也必認他; 在人面前不認我的,人子在神的使者面前也必不認他。 10 凡說話干犯人子的,還可得赦免;唯獨褻瀆聖靈的,總不得赦免。 11 人帶你們到會堂,並官府和有權柄的人面前,不要思慮怎麼分訴,說什麼話, 12 因為正在那時候,聖靈要指教你們當說的話。」

警戒貪心

13 眾人中有一個人對耶穌說:「夫子,請你吩咐我的兄長和我分開家業。」 14 耶穌說:「你這個人!誰立我做你們斷事的官,給你們分家業呢?」 15 於是對眾人說:「你們要謹慎自守,免去一切的貪心,因為人的生命不在乎家道豐富。」

無知的財主

16 就用比喻對他們說:「有一個財主田產豐盛, 17 自己心裡思想說:『我的出產沒有地方收藏,怎麼辦呢?』 18 又說:『我要這麼辦:要把我的倉房拆了,另蓋更大的,在那裡好收藏我一切的糧食和財物, 19 然後要對我的靈魂說:「靈魂哪,你有許多財物積存,可做多年的費用,只管安安逸逸地吃喝快樂吧!」』 20 神卻對他說:『無知的人哪,今夜必要你的靈魂,你所預備的要歸誰呢?』 21 凡為自己積財,在神面前卻不富足的,也是這樣。」

勿慮衣食

22 耶穌又對門徒說:「所以我告訴你們,不要為生命憂慮吃什麼,為身體憂慮穿什麼。 23 因為生命勝於飲食,身體勝於衣裳。 24 你想烏鴉,也不種也不收,又沒有倉又沒有庫,神尚且養活牠,你們比飛鳥是何等地貴重呢! 25 你們哪一個能用思慮使壽數多加一刻呢[a] 26 這最小的事你們尚且不能做,為什麼還憂慮其餘的事呢? 27 你想百合花怎麼長起來,它也不勞苦,也不紡線,然而我告訴你們:就是所羅門極榮華的時候,他所穿戴的還不如這花一朵呢! 28 你們這小信的人哪!野地裡的草今天還在,明天就丟在爐裡,神還給它這樣的裝飾,何況你們呢! 29 你們不要求吃什麼、喝什麼,也不要掛心。 30 這都是外邦人所求的。你們必須用這些東西,你們的父是知道的。 31 你們只要求他的國,這些東西就必加給你們了。 32 你們這小群,不要懼怕,因為你們的父樂意把國賜給你們。

論真財寶

33 「你們要變賣所有的賙濟人,為自己預備永不壞的錢囊、用不盡的財寶在天上,就是賊不能近、蟲不能蛀的地方。 34 因為你們的財寶在哪裡,你們的心也在哪裡。

35 「你們腰裡要束上帶,燈也要點著, 36 自己好像僕人等候主人從婚姻的筵席上回來。他來到叩門,就立刻給他開門。 37 主人來了,看見僕人警醒,那僕人就有福了。我實在告訴你們:主人必叫他們坐席,自己束上帶進前伺候他們。 38 或是二更天來,或是三更天來,看見僕人這樣,那僕人就有福了。 39 家主若知道賊什麼時候來,就必警醒,不容賊挖透房屋,這是你們所知道的。 40 你們也要預備,因為你們想不到的時候,人子就來了。」

善僕與惡僕的報應

41 彼得說:「主啊,這比喻是為我們說的呢,還是為眾人呢?」 42 主說:「誰是那忠心有見識的管家,主人派他管理家裡的人,按時分糧給他們呢? 43 主人來到,看見僕人這樣行,那僕人就有福了。 44 我實在告訴你們:主人要派他管理一切所有的。 45 那僕人若心裡說『我的主人必來得遲』,就動手打僕人和使女,並且吃喝醉酒, 46 在他想不到的日子,不知道的時辰,那僕人的主人要來,重重地處治他[b],定他和不忠心的人同罪。 47 僕人知道主人的意思,卻不預備,又不順他的意思行,那僕人必多受責打。 48 唯有那不知道的,做了當受責打的事,必少受責打因為多給誰,就向誰多取;多託誰,就向誰多要。

侍主和不侍主的紛爭

49 「我來要把火丟在地上,倘若已經著起來,不也是我所願意的嗎? 50 我有當受的洗還沒有成就,我是何等地迫切呢! 51 你們以為我來是叫地上太平嗎?我告訴你們:不是,乃是叫人紛爭。 52 從今以後,一家五個人將要紛爭:三個人和兩個人相爭,兩個人和三個人相爭; 53 父親和兒子相爭,兒子和父親相爭;母親和女兒相爭,女兒和母親相爭;婆婆和媳婦相爭,媳婦和婆婆相爭。」

54 耶穌又對眾人說:「你們看見西邊起了雲彩,就說『要下一陣雨』,果然就有。 55 起了南風,就說『將要燥熱』,也就有了。 56 假冒為善的人哪,你們知道分辨天地的氣色,怎麼不知道分辨這時候呢? 57 你們又為何不自己審量什麼是合理的呢? 58 你同告你的對頭去見官,還在路上,務要盡力地和他了結,恐怕他拉你到官面前,官交付差役,差役把你下在監裡。 59 我告訴你:若有半文錢沒有還清,你斷不能從那裡出來。」

Footnotes

  1. 路加福音 12:25 或作:使身量多加一肘呢。
  2. 路加福音 12:46 或作:把他腰斬了。

12 ¶ In the meantime, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

For there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed, neither hid that shall not be known.

Therefore whatever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light, and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of those that kill the body and, after that, have no more that they can do.

But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, who, after being killed, has power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God;

but he that denies me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.

10 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, there is forgiveness for him; but unto him that blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven.

11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues and unto magistrates and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer or what ye shall say;

12 for the Holy Spirit shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

13 ¶ And one of the crowd said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.

14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?

15 And he said unto them, Take heed and beware of all covetousness; for a man’s life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.

16 And he spoke a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully;

17 and he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my storehouses and build greater, and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast many goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee; then whose shall those things be which thou hast stored up?

21 So is he that lays up treasure for himself and is not rich in God.

22 ¶ And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.

23 The life is more than food, and the body is more than raiment.

24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?

26 If ye then are not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?

27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

28 If then God so clothes the grass, which is today in the field and tomorrow is cast into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

29 And seek not what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink, neither be ye high minded.

30 For all these things do the Gentiles of the world seek after, and your Father knows that ye have need of these things.

31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you.

32 Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

33 Sell what ye have and give alms; {lit. do acts of mercy} provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that fails not, where no thief approaches neither moth corrupts.

34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

35 Let your loins be girded about and your lamps burning,

36 and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he comes and knocks, they may open unto him immediately.

37 Blessed are those slaves, whom the lord when he comes shall find watching; verily I say unto you that he shall gird himself and make them to sit down to food and will come forth and serve them.

38 And if he shall come in the second watch or come in the third watch and find them so, blessed are those slaves.

39 And know this: that if the husband of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not have suffered his house to be broken through.

40 Be ye therefore ready also; for the Son of man comes at an hour when ye think not.

41 ¶ Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us or even to all?

42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward whom his lord shall make ruler over his household to give them their portion of food in due season?

43 Blessed is that slave whom his lord when he comes shall find so doing.

44 Of a truth I say unto you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.

45 But and if that slave shall say in his heart, My lord delays his coming, and shall begin to beat the menslaves and maids and to eat and drink and to be drunken,

46 the lord of that slave will come in a day when he does not look for him and at an hour when he is not aware and will cut him off and will appoint him his portion with the unfaithful.

47 And that slave who knew his lord’s will and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

48 But he that knew not and did commit things worthy of stripes shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required; and to whom much was committed, more will be asked of him.

49 I am come to cast fire into the earth; and what do I desire, except that it be kindled?

50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how I am anguished until it is accomplished!

51 Think ye that I am come to the earth to give peace? No, I tell you, but rather division;

52 for from now on there shall be five in one house divided: three against two and two against three.

53 The father shall be divided against the son and the son against the father, the mother against the daughter and the daughter against the mother, the mother-in-law against her daughter- in-law and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

54 ¶ And he said also to the people, When ye see the cloud rising out of the west, straightway ye say, A shower comes, and so it is.

55 And when the south wind blows, ye say, There will be heat, and it comes to pass.

56 Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?

57 Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?

58 When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou may be delivered from him, lest he drag thee away to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.

59 I tell thee, in no wise shalt thou come out of there until thou hast paid the very last mite.

Beware of Hypocrisy(A)

12 In (B)the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, (C)“Beware of the [a]leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. (D)For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.

Jesus Teaches the Fear of God(E)

(F)“And I say to you, (G)My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, (H)fear Him!

“Are not five sparrows sold for two [b]copper coins? And (I)not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Confess Christ Before Men(J)

(K)“Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me (L)before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. But he who (M)denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.

10 “And (N)anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.

11 (O)“Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will (P)teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

The Parable of the Rich Fool

13 Then one from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

14 But He said to him, (Q)“Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” 15 And He said to them, (R)“Take heed and beware of [c]covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

16 Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17 And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ 18 So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, (S)“Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; (T)eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night (U)your soul will be required of you; (V)then whose will those things be which you have provided?’

21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, (W)and is not rich toward God.”

Do Not Worry(X)

22 Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, (Y)do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. 23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and (Z)God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? 25 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 26 If you then are not able to do the least, why [d]are you anxious for the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even (AA)Solomon in all his glory was not [e]arrayed like one of these. 28 If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of (AB)little faith?

29 “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. 30 For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father (AC)knows that you need these things. 31 (AD)But seek [f]the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

32 “Do not fear, little flock, for (AE)it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 (AF)Sell what you have and give (AG)alms; (AH)provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The Faithful Servant and the Evil Servant(AI)

35 (AJ)“Let your waist be girded and (AK)your lamps burning; 36 and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. 37 (AL)Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. 38 And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. 39 (AM)But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would [g]have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 40 (AN)Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

41 Then Peter said to Him, “Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?

42 And the Lord said, (AO)“Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food [h]in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 (AP)Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. 45 (AQ)But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a (AR)day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 47 And (AS)that servant who (AT)knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 (AU)But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

Christ Brings Division(AV)

49 (AW)“I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But (AX)I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is (AY)accomplished! 51 (AZ)Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, (BA)but rather division. 52 (BB)For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. 53 (BC)Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

Discern the Time(BD)

54 Then He also said to the multitudes, (BE)“Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it is. 55 And when you see the (BF)south wind blow, you say, ‘There will be hot weather’; and there is. 56 Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern (BG)this time?

Make Peace with Your Adversary

57 “Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right? 58 (BH)When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort (BI)along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. 59 I tell you, you shall not depart from there till you have paid the very last mite.”

Footnotes

  1. Luke 12:1 yeast
  2. Luke 12:6 Gr. assarion, a coin worth about 1⁄16 of a denarius
  3. Luke 12:15 NU all covetousness
  4. Luke 12:26 do you worry
  5. Luke 12:27 clothed
  6. Luke 12:31 NU His kingdom, and these things
  7. Luke 12:39 NU not have allowed
  8. Luke 12:42 at the right time

12 Meanwhile the crowds grew until thousands upon thousands were milling about and crushing each other. He turned now to his disciples and warned them, “More than anything else, beware of these Pharisees and the way they pretend to be good when they aren’t. But such hypocrisy cannot be hidden forever. It will become as evident as yeast in dough. Whatever they[a] have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms shall be broadcast from the housetops for all to hear!

“Dear friends, don’t be afraid of these who want to murder you. They can only kill the body; they have no power over your souls. But I’ll tell you whom to fear—fear God who has the power to kill and then cast into hell.

“What is the price of five sparrows? A couple of pennies? Not much more than that. Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And he knows the number of hairs on your head! Never fear, you are far more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows.

“And I assure you of this: I, the Messiah,[b] will publicly honor you in the presence of God’s angels if you publicly acknowledge me here on earth as your Friend. But I will deny before the angels those who deny me here among men. 10 (Yet those who speak against me[c] may be forgiven—while those who speak against the Holy Spirit shall never be forgiven.)

11 “And when you are brought to trial before these Jewish rulers and authorities in the synagogues, don’t be concerned about what to say in your defense, 12 for the Holy Spirit will give you the right words even as you are standing there.”

13 Then someone called from the crowd, “Sir, please tell my brother to divide my father’s estate with me.”

14 But Jesus replied, “Man, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that? 15 Beware! Don’t always be wishing for what you don’t have. For real life and real living are not related to how rich we are.”

16 Then he gave an illustration: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17 In fact, his barns were full to overflowing—he couldn’t get everything in. He thought about his problem, 18 and finally exclaimed, ‘I know—I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones! Then I’ll have room enough. 19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “Friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Wine, women, and song for you!”’[d]

20 “But God said to him, ‘Fool! Tonight you die. Then who will get it all?’

21 “Yes, every man is a fool who gets rich on earth but not in heaven.”

22 Then turning to his disciples he said, “Don’t worry about whether you have enough food to eat or clothes to wear. 23 For life consists of far more than food and clothes. 24 Look at the ravens—they don’t plant or harvest or have barns to store away their food, and yet they get along all right—for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!

25 “And besides, what’s the use of worrying? What good does it do? Will it add a single day to your life? Of course not! 26 And if worry can’t even do such little things as that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?

27 “Look at the lilies! They don’t toil and spin, and yet Solomon in all his glory was not robed as well as they are. 28 And if God provides clothing for the flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, don’t you suppose that he will provide clothing for you, you doubters? 29 And don’t worry about food—what to eat and drink; don’t worry at all that God will provide it for you. 30 All mankind scratches for its daily bread, but your heavenly Father knows your needs. 31 He will always give you all you need from day to day if you will make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.

32 “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. 33 Sell what you have and give to those in need. This will fatten your purses in heaven! And the purses of heaven have no rips or holes in them. Your treasures there will never disappear; no thief can steal them; no moth can destroy them. 34 Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.

35 “Be prepared—all dressed and ready— 36 for your Lord’s return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. 37 There will be great joy for those who are ready and waiting for his return. He himself will seat them and put on a waiter’s uniform and serve them as they sit and eat! 38 He may come at nine o’clock at night—or even at midnight. But whenever he comes, there will be joy for his servants who are ready!

39 “Everyone would be ready for him if they knew the exact hour of his return—just as they would be ready for a thief if they knew when he was coming. 40 So be ready all the time. For I, the Messiah,[e] will come when least expected.”

41 Peter asked, “Lord, are you talking just to us or to everyone?”

42-44 And the Lord replied, “I’m talking to any faithful, sensible man whose master gives him the responsibility of feeding the other servants. If his master returns and finds that he has done a good job, there will be a reward—his master will put him in charge of all he owns.

45 “But if the man begins to think, ‘My Lord won’t be back for a long time,’ and begins to whip the men and women he is supposed to protect, and to spend his time at drinking parties and in drunkenness— 46 well, his master will return without notice and remove him from his position of trust and assign him to the place of the unfaithful. 47 He will be severely punished, for though he knew his duty he refused to do it.

48 “But anyone who is not aware that he is doing wrong will be punished only lightly. Much is required from those to whom much is given, for their responsibility is greater.

49 “I have come to bring fire to the earth, and, oh, that my task were completed! 50 There is a terrible baptism ahead of me, and how I am pent up until it is accomplished!

51 “Do you think I have come to give peace to the earth? No! Rather, strife and division! 52 From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against—or perhaps the other way around. 53 A father will decide one way about me; his son, the other; mother and daughter will disagree; and the decision of an honored mother-in-law[f] will be spurned by her daughter-in-law.”

54 Then he turned to the crowd and said, “When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, ‘Here comes a shower.’ And you are right.

55 “When the south wind blows you say, ‘Today will be a scorcher.’ And it is. 56 Hypocrites! You interpret the sky well enough, but you refuse to notice the warnings all around you about the crisis ahead. 57 Why do you refuse to see for yourselves what is right?

58 “If you meet your accuser on the way to court, try to settle the matter before it reaches the judge, lest he sentence you to jail; 59 for if that happens, you won’t be free again until the last penny is paid in full.”

Footnotes

  1. Luke 12:3 they, literally, “you.”
  2. Luke 12:8 the Messiah, literally, “the Son of Man.”
  3. Luke 12:10 me, literally, “the Son of Man.”
  4. Luke 12:19 Wine, women, and song for you, literally, “Eat, drink, and be merry.”
  5. Luke 12:40 the Messiah, literally, “the Son of Man.”
  6. Luke 12:53 the decision of an honored mother-in-law, implied by ancient custom.

Warnings and Encouragements(A)

12 Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be[a] on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.(B) There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.(C) What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

“I tell you, my friends,(D) do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.(E) Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.(F) Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.(G)

“I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God.(H) But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned(I) before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man(J) will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.(K)

11 “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say,(L) 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”(M)

The Parable of the Rich Fool

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”(N)

16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool!(O) This very night your life will be demanded from you.(P) Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’(Q)

21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”(R)

Do Not Worry(S)

22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them.(T) And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life[b]? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor(U) was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!(V) 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father(W) knows that you need them.(X) 31 But seek his kingdom,(Y) and these things will be given to you as well.(Z)

32 “Do not be afraid,(AA) little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.(AB) 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor.(AC) Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven(AD) that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.(AE) 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.(AF)

Watchfulness(AG)(AH)

35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes.(AI) Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.(AJ) 38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. 39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief(AK) was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready,(AL) because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

41 Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?”

42 The Lord(AM) answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? 43 It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. 44 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. 46 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of.(AN) He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

47 “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows.(AO) 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows.(AP) From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Not Peace but Division(AQ)

49 “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism(AR) to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed!(AS) 51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. 52 From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”(AT)

Interpreting the Times

54 He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does.(AU) 55 And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. 56 Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?(AV)

57 “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? 58 As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled on the way, or your adversary may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.(AW) 59 I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.”(AX)

Footnotes

  1. Luke 12:1 Or speak to his disciples, saying: “First of all, be
  2. Luke 12:25 Or single cubit to your height