路加福音 11
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
教導門徒禱告
11 有一天，耶穌在某地禱告完畢，有個門徒對祂說：「主啊，請教導我們禱告，像約翰教他的門徒一樣。」
2 耶穌對他們說：「你們應該這樣禱告，
『天父，願人都尊崇你的聖名，
願你的國度降臨，
願你的旨意在地上成就，
就像在天上成就一樣[a]。
3 願你天天賜給我們日用的飲食。
4 求你饒恕我們的罪，
因為我們也饒恕那些虧欠我們的人。
不要讓我們遇見誘惑，
拯救我們脫離那惡者[b]。』」
5 耶穌又對他們說：「假設你在半夜跑去朋友家請求說，『朋友，請借給我三個餅吧， 6 因為有一位朋友遠道而來，我家沒有什麼可以招待他。』 7 那個人在屋裡應聲說，『請別打攪我，門已經鎖上了，我和孩子們也已經上床了，我不能起來給你拿餅。』
8 「我告訴你們，那人雖不念朋友之情，但是倘若你不肯甘休，繼續請求，他最終會起來滿足你的願望。
9 「我告訴你們，祈求，就會給你們；尋找，就會尋見；叩門，就會給你們開門。 10 因為凡祈求的，就得到；尋找的，就尋見；叩門的，就給他開門。
11 「你們中間做父親的，如果孩子要餅，你會給他石頭嗎？[c]要魚，你會給他蛇嗎？ 12 要雞蛋，你會給他蠍子嗎？ 13 你們雖然邪惡，尚且知道把好東西給兒女，天父豈不更要賜聖靈給那些求祂的人嗎？」
耶穌和別西卜
14 有一次，耶穌趕出一個使人啞巴的鬼。鬼一出去，啞巴就能說話了，大家都很驚奇。 15 有人卻說：「祂是靠鬼王別西卜趕鬼。」 16 還有些人想試探耶穌，要求祂行個神蹟證明自己是上帝派來的。
17 耶穌知道他們的心思，就說：「一個國內部自相紛爭，必然滅亡；一個家內部自相紛爭，必然崩潰。 18 同樣，若撒旦內部自相紛爭，牠的國怎能維持呢？你們說我是靠別西卜趕鬼， 19 若我是靠別西卜趕鬼，你們的子弟又是靠誰趕鬼呢？因此，他們要審判你們。 20 但若我是靠上帝的能力趕鬼，就是上帝的國已降臨在你們中間了。
21 「壯漢全副武裝地看守自己的住宅，他的財物會很安全。 22 但是，來了一個比他更強壯的人，把他制伏後，奪去他所依靠的武裝，並把他搶來的東西分給了人。 23 誰不與我為友，就是與我為敵；誰不和我一起收聚，就是故意拆散。
24 「有個污鬼離開了牠以前所附的人，在乾旱無水之地四處遊蕩，尋找安歇之處，卻沒有找到。於是牠說，『我要回到老地方。』 25 牠回去後，看見裡面打掃得又乾淨又整齊， 26 就去帶來了七個比自己更邪惡的鬼一起住在那裡。那人的下場比從前更慘了。」
誰更有福
27 耶穌說話的時候，人群中有個婦人高喊：「生你養你的人真有福啊！」
28 耶穌回答說：「但那聽了上帝的話又去遵行的人更有福。」
可悲的邪惡世代
29 這時聚集的人越來越多，耶穌說：「這是一個邪惡的世代，人們只想看神蹟，但除了約拿的神蹟以外，再沒有神蹟給他們看。 30 正如約拿成了尼尼微人的神蹟，人子也要成為這世代的神蹟。
31 「在審判的日子，南方的女王和這世代的人都要起來[d]，她要定這個世代的罪，因為她曾不遠千里來聽所羅門王的智言慧語。看啊！這裡有一位比所羅門王更偉大。
32 「在審判的日子，尼尼微人和這世代的人都要起來，尼尼微人要定這個世代的罪，因為他們聽到約拿的宣告，就悔改了。看啊！這裡有一位比約拿更偉大。
燈的比喻
33 「沒有人點了燈卻將它放在地窖裡或斗底下，人總是把燈放在燈臺上，讓進來的人可以看見光。 34 你的眼睛就是身體的燈，你的眼睛明亮，全身就光明；你的眼睛昏花，全身就黑暗。 35 因此要小心，不要讓你心裡的光變為黑暗。 36 如果你全身光明、毫無黑暗，你整個人就熠熠生輝，好像有燈光照在你身上。」
譴責法利賽人
37 耶穌說完這番話後，有一個法利賽人來請祂吃飯，祂便應邀入席。 38 這位法利賽人看見耶穌飯前沒有行猶太人洗手的禮儀，十分詫異。 39 主對他說：「你們法利賽人洗淨杯盤的外面，你們裡面卻充滿了貪婪和邪惡。 40 愚蠢的人啊，人裡外不都是上帝所創造的嗎？ 41 只要你們發自內心地去施捨，一切對你們都是潔淨的。
42 「法利賽人啊，你們有禍了！你們將薄荷、茴香、各樣蔬菜獻上十分之一，卻忽略了上帝的公義和仁愛。後者是你們本該做的，前者也不可忽略。
43 「法利賽人啊，你們有禍了！你們喜歡在會堂裡坐首位，又喜歡在街市上聽到別人的問候。 44 你們有禍了！因為你們就像沒有墓碑的墳墓，人們從上面走過也不知道。」
譴責律法教師
45 一位律法教師對耶穌說：「老師，你這話把我們也侮辱了！」
46 耶穌回答說：「你們這些律法教師也有禍了！你們把沉重難負的擔子放在別人肩上，自己卻連一根指頭也不肯動。
47 「你們有禍了，你們為先知修造墳墓，而他們正是被你們祖先殺害的！ 48 所以你們是見證人，你們讚同祖先的行為，因為他們殺了先知，你們為先知造墳墓。 49 因此，充滿智慧的上帝說，『我要差遣先知和使徒到他們那裡，有些要被殺害，有些要遭迫害』， 50-51 使創世以來，自亞伯一直到在祭壇和聖所之間被殺的撒迦利亞等眾先知的血債，都由這個世代承擔。我實在告訴你們，這些罪責都要由這個世代承擔。
52 「律法教師啊，你們有禍了！你們拿走了知識的鑰匙，自己不進去，還阻擋那些正要進去的人。」
53 耶穌離開那裡後，法利賽人和律法教師開始激烈地反對祂，用各種問題刁難祂， 54 伺機找把柄陷害祂。
Lukas 11
Svenska Folkbibeln
Herrens bön
11 En gång var Jesus på en plats och bad. När han hade slutat sin bön, sade en av hans lärjungar till honom: "Herre, lär oss att be, liksom Johannes lärde sina lärjungar." 2 Då sade han till dem: "När ni ber skall ni säga:
Fader, helgat blive ditt namn.
Komme ditt rike.
3 Ge oss var dag vårt bröd
för dagen.
4 Och förlåt oss våra synder,
ty också vi förlåter var och en
som står i skuld till oss.
Och för oss inte in i frestelse."
Uthållig bön
5 Han sade till dem: "Om någon av er har en vän och går till honom mitt i natten och säger: Käre vän, låna mig tre bröd. 6 En vän som är på resa har kommit till mig, och jag har ingenting att sätta fram åt honom, 7 - vem av er skulle då inifrån huset få till svar: Låt mig vara i fred. Dörren är redan stängd, och mina barn och jag har gått och lagt oss. Jag kan inte stiga upp och ge dig något. 8 Jag säger er: Även om han inte stiger upp och ger honom något för att det är hans vän, så kommer han att stiga upp och ge honom allt vad han behöver för att inte själv bli utskämd.[a]
9 Jag säger er: Be och ni skall få, sök och ni skall finna, bulta och dörren skall öppnas för er. 10 Ty var och en som ber, han får, och den som söker, han finner, och för den som bultar skall dörren öppnas. 11 Finns det bland er någon far som skulle ge sin son en orm när han ber om en fisk, 12 eller en skorpion när han ber om ett ägg? 13 Om ni som är onda förstår att ge era barn goda gåvor, hur mycket mer skall då inte er Fader i himlen ge den helige Ande åt dem som ber honom?"
Jesus eller Beelsebul
14 Jesus drev vid ett tillfälle ut en ond ande som var stum. När den onde anden hade farit ut, talade den stumme, och folket förundrade sig. 15 Men några av dem sade: "Det är med hjälp av Beelsebul,[b] de onda andarnas furste, som han driver ut de onda andarna." 16 Andra ville snärja honom och begärde av honom ett tecken från himlen. 17 Men han visste vad de tänkte och sade till dem: "Ett rike som har kommit i strid med sig självt blir ödelagt, och hus faller på hus. 18 Om nu Satan har kommit i strid med sig själv, hur kan då hans rike bestå? Ni säger att det är med hjälp av Beelsebul som jag driver ut de onda andarna. 19 Men om det är med hjälp av Beelsebul som jag driver ut de onda andarna, med vems hjälp driver då era söner ut dem? De kommer därför att vara era domare. 20 Men om det är med Guds finger jag driver ut de onda andarna, då har Guds rike kommit till er. 21 När den starke beväpnad vaktar sin gård får hans ägodelar vara i fred. 22 Men kommer det en som är ännu starkare och besegrar honom, då tar den mannen ifrån honom alla vapen som han litade på och fördelar bytet. 23 Den som inte är med mig är emot mig, och den som inte samlar med mig, han skingrar.
En ond andes återkomst
24 När en oren ande har farit ut ur en människa, vandrar han genom ökentrakter för att leta efter en viloplats. Men om han inte finner någon tänker han: Jag vill vända tillbaka till mitt hus som jag lämnade. 25 När han så kommer och finner det städat och pyntat, 26 ger han sig av och tar med sig sju andra andar som är värre än han själv, och de går in och bor där. För den människan blir det sista värre än det första."
27 Då Jesus sade detta, ropade en kvinna i folkskaran: "Saligt är det moderliv som har burit dig och saliga de bröst som du har diat." 28 Han sade: "Säg hellre: Saliga är de som lyssnar till Guds ord och bevarar det."
Jonas tecken
29 Då folk strömmade till, sade Jesus: "Detta släkte är ett ont släkte. Det begär ett tecken, men det skall inte få något annat än Jonas tecken. 30 Ty liksom Jona var ett tecken för folket i Nineve, så skall Människosonen vara det för detta släkte. 31 Drottningen av Söderlandet skall vid domen träda upp mot detta släkte och bli det till dom. Ty hon kom från jordens yttersta gräns för att lyssna till Salomos vishet. Och se, här är mer än Salomo. 32 Män från Nineve skall vid domen träda upp mot detta släkte och bli det till dom. Ty de omvände sig vid Jonas predikan. Och se, här är mer än Jona.
Ögat är kroppens lykta
33 Ingen tänder ett ljus och ställer det på en undangömd plats eller under skäppan, utan man sätter det på ljushållaren, så att de som kommer in ser skenet. 34 Ditt öga är kroppens lykta. När ditt öga är friskt får också hela din kropp ljus, men när det är sjukt ligger också din kropp i mörker. 35 Se därför till att ljuset i dig inte är mörker. 36 Om hela din kropp har ljus och ingen del ligger i mörker, då får den ljus helt och hållet, som när ljuset från en lampa lyser på dig med sitt klara sken."
Jesu ord mot fariseer och laglärda
37 När Jesus hade talat, bjöd en farisé honom hem till sig, och han gick in och lade sig till bords. 38 Farisén blev förvånad när han såg att Jesus inte tvättade sig före måltiden. 39 Men Herren sade till honom: "Ni fariseer rengör utsidan av bägare och fat, men ert inre är fullt av girighet och ondska. 40 Ni dårar, har inte han som gjorde utsidan också gjort insidan? 41 Ge därför ert inre som gåva, så blir allting rent för er.
42 Ve er, ni fariseer! Ni ger tionde av mynta, ruta[c] och alla slags grönsaker men bryr er inte om rätten och kärleken till Gud. Det ena borde ni göra utan att försumma det andra.
43 Ve er, fariseer! Ni älskar den främsta platsen i synagogorna och tycker om att bli hälsade på torgen. 44 Ve er, ni liknar gravar som man inte ser och som folk trampar på utan att veta om det."
45 En av de laglärda sade då till honom: "Mästare, när du säger så, förolämpar du även oss." 46 Han svarade: "Ja, ve också över er, ni laglärda! Ni lägger på människorna bördor som är svåra att bära, men själva rör ni inte ett finger för att lätta dem.
47 Ve er! Ni bygger gravvårdar över profeterna som era fäder mördade. 48 Ni är alltså vittnen till vad era fäder gjorde och samtycker till det. De dödade profeterna och ni bygger gravvårdar över dem. 49 Därför har också Guds vishet sagt: Jag skall sända till dem profeter och apostlar, och en del av dem skall de mörda och förfölja. 50 Så skall av detta släkte utkrävas alla profeters blod, som har utgjutits från världens begynnelse, 51 från Abels blod ända till Sakarjas blod, som utgöts mellan altaret och templet. Ja, jag säger er: Det skall utkrävas av detta släkte.
52 Ve er, ni laglärda! Ni har tagit bort nyckeln till kunskapen. Själva har ni inte kommit in, och dem som är på väg in har ni hindrat."
53 När han gick därifrån, började de skriftlärda och fariseerna angripa honom häftigt och ställa många frågor till honom. 54 De vaktade på honom för att fälla honom genom något som han sade.
Footnotes
- Lukas 11:8 utskämd Detta är liknelsens nyckelord, som mer naturligt avser den sovande än mannen utanför dörren.
- Lukas 11:15 Beelsebul Se not till Matt 10:25.
- Lukas 11:42 ruta En starkt doftande kryddväxt.
路加福音 11
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
教导门徒祷告
11 有一天，耶稣在某地祷告完毕，有个门徒对祂说：“主啊，请教导我们祷告，像约翰教他的门徒一样。”
2 耶稣对他们说：“你们应该这样祷告，
“‘天父，愿人都尊崇你的圣名，
愿你的国度降临，
愿你的旨意在地上成就，
就像在天上成就一样[a]。
3 愿你天天赐给我们日用的饮食。
4 求你饶恕我们的罪，
因为我们也饶恕那些亏欠我们的人。
不要让我们遇见诱惑，
拯救我们脱离那恶者[b]。’”
5 耶稣又对他们说：“假设你在半夜跑去朋友家请求说，‘朋友，请借给我三个饼吧， 6 因为有一位朋友远道而来，我家没有什么可以招待他。’ 7 那个人在屋里应声说，‘请别打搅我，门已经锁上了，我和孩子们也已经上床了，我不能起来给你拿饼。’
8 “我告诉你们，那人虽不念朋友之情，但是倘若你不肯罢休，继续请求，他最终会起来满足你的愿望。
9 “我告诉你们，祈求，就会给你们；寻找，就会寻见；叩门，就会给你们开门。 10 因为凡祈求的，就得到；寻找的，就寻见；叩门的，就给他开门。
11 “你们中间做父亲的，如果孩子要饼，你会给他石头吗？[c]要鱼，你会给他蛇吗？ 12 要鸡蛋，你会给他蝎子吗？ 13 你们虽然邪恶，尚且知道把好东西给儿女，天父岂不更要赐圣灵给那些求祂的人吗？”
耶稣和别西卜
14 有一次，耶稣赶出一个使人哑巴的鬼。鬼一出去，哑巴就能说话了，大家都很惊奇。 15 有人却说：“祂是靠鬼王别西卜赶鬼。” 16 还有些人想试探耶稣，要求祂行个神迹证明自己是上帝派来的。
17 耶稣知道他们的心思，就说：“一个国内部自相纷争，必然灭亡；一个家内部自相纷争，必然崩溃。 18 同样，若撒旦内部自相纷争，它的国怎能维持呢？你们说我是靠别西卜赶鬼， 19 若我是靠别西卜赶鬼，你们的子弟又是靠谁赶鬼呢？因此，他们要审判你们。 20 但若我是靠上帝的能力赶鬼，就是上帝的国已降临在你们中间了。
21 “壮汉全副武装地看守自己的住宅，他的财物会很安全。 22 但是，来了一个比他更强壮的人，把他制服后，夺去他所依靠的武装，并把他抢来的东西分给了人。 23 谁不与我为友，就是与我为敌；谁不和我一起收聚，就是故意拆散。
24 “有个污鬼离开了它以前所附的人，在干旱无水之地四处游荡，寻找安歇之处，却没有找到。于是它说，‘我要回到老地方。’ 25 它回去后，看见里面打扫得又干净又整齐， 26 就去带来了七个比自己更邪恶的鬼一起住在那里。那人的下场比从前更惨了。”
谁更有福
27 耶稣说话的时候，人群中有个妇人高喊：“生你养你的人真有福啊！”
28 耶稣回答说：“但那听了上帝的话又去遵行的人更有福。”
可悲的邪恶世代
29 这时聚集的人越来越多，耶稣说：“这是一个邪恶的世代，人们只想看神迹，但除了约拿的神迹以外，再没有神迹给他们看。 30 正如约拿成了尼尼微人的神迹，人子也要成为这世代的神迹。
31 “在审判的日子，南方的女王和这世代的人都要起来[d]，她要定这个世代的罪，因为她曾不远千里来听所罗门王的智言慧语。看啊！这里有一位比所罗门王更伟大。
32 “在审判的日子，尼尼微人和这世代的人都要起来，尼尼微人要定这个世代的罪，因为他们听到约拿的宣告，就悔改了。看啊！这里有一位比约拿更伟大。
灯的比喻
33 “没有人点了灯却将它放在地窖里或斗底下，人总是把灯放在灯台上，让进来的人可以看见光。 34 你的眼睛就是身体的灯，你的眼睛明亮，全身就光明；你的眼睛昏花，全身就黑暗。 35 因此要小心，不要让你心里的光变为黑暗。 36 如果你全身光明、毫无黑暗，你整个人就熠熠生辉，好像有灯光照在你身上。”
谴责法利赛人
37 耶稣说完这番话后，有一个法利赛人来请祂吃饭，祂便应邀入席。 38 这位法利赛人看见耶稣饭前没有行犹太人洗手的礼仪，十分诧异。 39 主对他说：“你们法利赛人洗净杯盘的外面，你们里面却充满了贪婪和邪恶。 40 愚蠢的人啊，人里外不都是上帝所创造的吗？ 41 只要你们发自内心地去施舍，一切对你们都是洁净的。
42 “法利赛人啊，你们有祸了！你们将薄荷、茴香、各样蔬菜献上十分之一，却忽略了上帝的公义和仁爱。后者是你们本该做的，前者也不可忽略。
43 “法利赛人啊，你们有祸了！你们喜欢在会堂里坐首位，又喜欢在街市上听到别人的问候。 44 你们有祸了！因为你们就像没有墓碑的坟墓，人们从上面走过也不知道。”
谴责律法教师
45 一位律法教师对耶稣说：“老师，你这话把我们也侮辱了！”
46 耶稣回答说：“你们这些律法教师也有祸了！你们把沉重难负的担子放在别人肩上，自己却连一根指头也不肯动。
47 “你们有祸了，你们为先知修造坟墓，而他们正是被你们祖先杀害的！ 48 所以你们是见证人，你们赞同祖先的行为，因为他们杀了先知，你们为先知造坟墓。 49 因此，充满智慧的上帝说，‘我要差遣先知和使徒到他们那里，有些要被杀害，有些要遭迫害’， 50-51 使创世以来，自亚伯一直到在祭坛和圣所之间被杀的撒迦利亚等众先知的血债，都由这个世代承担。我实在告诉你们，这些罪责都要由这个世代承担。
52 “律法教师啊，你们有祸了！你们拿走了知识的钥匙，自己不进去，还阻挡那些正要进去的人。”
53 耶稣离开那里后，法利赛人和律法教师开始激烈地反对祂，用各种问题刁难祂， 54 伺机找把柄陷害祂。
Luke 11
GOD’S WORD Translation
The Lord’s Prayer(A)
11 Once Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he stopped praying, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray as John taught his disciples.”
2 Jesus told them, “When you pray, say this:
Father,
let your name be kept holy.
Let your kingdom come.
3 Give us our bread day by day.
4 Forgive us as we forgive everyone else.
Don’t allow us to be tempted.”
The Power of Prayer(B)
5 Jesus said to his disciples, “Suppose one of you has a friend. Suppose you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, let me borrow three loaves of bread. 6 A friend of mine on a trip has dropped in on me, and I don’t have anything to serve him.’ 7 Your friend might answer you from inside his house, ‘Don’t bother me! The door is already locked, and my children are in bed. I can’t get up to give you anything.’ 8 I can guarantee that although he doesn’t want to get up to give you anything, he will get up and give you whatever you need because he is your friend and because you were so bold.
9 “So I tell you to ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. 10 Everyone who asks will receive. The one who searches will find, and for the person who knocks, the door will be opened.
11 “If your child asks you, his father, for a fish, would you give him a snake instead? 12 Or if your child asks you for an egg, would you give him a scorpion? 13 Even though you’re evil, you know how to give good gifts to your children. So how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”
Jesus Is Accused of Working with Beelzebul(C)
14 Jesus was forcing a demon out of a man. The demon had made the man unable to talk. When the demon had gone out, the man began to talk.
The people were amazed. 15 But some of them said, “He can force demons out of people only with the help of Beelzebul, the ruler of demons.” 16 Others wanted to test Jesus and demanded that he show them some miraculous sign from heaven.
17 Since Jesus knew what they were thinking, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is ruined. A house divided against itself falls. 18 Now, if Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom last? I say this because you say Beelzebul helps me force demons out of people. 19 If I force demons out with the help of Beelzebul, who helps your followers force them out? That’s why they will be your judges. 20 But if I force out demons with the help of God’s power, then God’s kingdom has come to you.
21 “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own mansion, his property is safe. 22 But a stronger man than he may attack him and defeat him. Then the stronger man will take away all the weapons in which the strong man trusted and will divide the loot.
23 “Whoever isn’t with me is against me. Whoever doesn’t gather with me scatters.
24 “When an evil spirit comes out of a person, it goes through dry places looking for a place to rest. But it doesn’t find any. Then it says, ‘I’ll go back to the home I left.’ 25 When it comes, it finds the house swept clean and in order. 26 Then the spirit goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than itself. They enter and take up permanent residence there. In the end the condition of that person is worse than it was before.”
The Sign of Jonah(D)
27 While Jesus was speaking, a woman in the crowd shouted, “How blessed is the mother who gave birth to you and the breasts that nursed you.”
28 Jesus replied, “Rather, how blessed are those who hear and obey God’s word.”
29 As the people were gathering around him, Jesus said, “The people living today are evil. They look for a miraculous sign. But the only sign they will get is the sign of Jonah. 30 Just as Jonah became a miraculous sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be a miraculous sign to the people living today. 31 The queen from the south will stand up at the time of judgment with the men who live today. She will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear Solomon’s wisdom. But look, someone greater than Solomon is here! 32 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the time of judgment with the people living today. Since the men of Nineveh turned to God and changed the way they thought and acted when Jonah spoke his message, they will condemn the people living today. But look, someone greater than Jonah is here!
Jesus Talks about Light
33 “No one lights a lamp and hides it or puts it under a basket. Instead, everyone who lights a lamp puts it on a lamp stand so that those who come in will see its light.
34 “Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is unclouded, your whole body is full of light. But when your eye is evil, your body is full of darkness. 35 So be careful that the light in you isn’t darkness. 36 If your whole body is full of light and not darkness, it will be as bright as a lamp shining on you.”
Jesus Criticizes Some Jewish Leaders
37 After Jesus spoke, a Pharisee invited him to have lunch at his house. So Jesus accepted the invitation. 38 The Pharisee was surprised to see that Jesus didn’t wash before the meal.
39 The Lord said to him, “You Pharisees clean the outside of cups and dishes. But inside you are full of greed and evil. 40 You fools! Didn’t the one who made the outside make the inside too? 41 Give what is inside as a gift to the poor, and then everything will be clean [a] for you.
42 “How horrible it will be for you Pharisees! You give ⌞God⌟ one-tenth of your mint, spices, and every garden herb. But you have ignored justice and the love of God. You should have done these things without ignoring the others.
43 “How horrible it will be for you Pharisees! You love to sit in the front seats in the synagogues and to be greeted in the marketplaces. 44 How horrible it will be for you! You are like unmarked graves. People walk on them without knowing what they are.”
45 One of the experts in Moses’ Teachings said to him, “Teacher, when you talk this way, you insult us too.”
46 Jesus said, “How horrible it will be for you experts in Moses’ Teachings! You burden people with loads that are hard to carry. But you won’t lift a finger to carry any of these loads.
47 “How horrible it will be for you! You build the monuments for the prophets. But it was your ancestors who murdered them. 48 So you are witnesses and approve of what your ancestors did. They murdered the prophets for whom you build monuments. 49 That’s why the Wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles. They will murder some of those prophets and apostles and persecute others.’ 50 So the people living now will be charged with the murder of every prophet since the world was made. 51 This includes the murders from Abel to Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the temple. Yes, I can guarantee this truth: The people living today will be held responsible for this.
52 “How horrible it will be for you experts in Moses’ Teachings! You have taken away the key that unlocks knowledge. You haven’t gained entrance into ⌞knowledge⌟ yourselves, and you’ve kept out those who wanted to enter.”
53 When Jesus left, the experts in Moses’ Teachings and the Pharisees held a terrible grudge against him. They questioned him about many things 54 and watched him closely to trap him in something he might say.
Footnotes
- 11:41 “Clean ” refers to anything that Moses’ Teachings say is presentable to God.
Luke 11
The Message
Ask for What You Need
11 One day he was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said, “Master, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.”
2-4 So he said, “When you pray, say,
Father,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.”
5-6 Then he said, “Imagine what would happen if you went to a friend in the middle of the night and said, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread. An old friend traveling through just showed up, and I don’t have a thing on hand.’
7 “The friend answers from his bed, ‘Don’t bother me. The door’s locked; my children are all down for the night; I can’t get up to give you anything.’
8 “But let me tell you, even if he won’t get up because he’s a friend, if you stand your ground, knocking and waking all the neighbors, he’ll finally get up and get you whatever you need.
9 “Here’s what I’m saying:
Ask and you’ll get;
Seek and you’ll find;
Knock and the door will open.
10-13 “Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing—you’re at least decent to your own children. And don’t you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?”
No Neutral Ground
14-16 Jesus delivered a man from a demon that had kept him speechless. The demon gone, the man started talking a blue streak, taking the crowd by complete surprise. But some from the crowd were cynical. “Black magic,” they said. “Some devil trick he’s pulled from his sleeve.” Others were skeptical, waiting around for him to prove himself with a spectacular miracle.
17-20 Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, “Any country in civil war for very long is wasted. A constantly squabbling family falls to pieces. If Satan cancels Satan, is there any Satan left? You accuse me of ganging up with the Devil, the prince of demons, to cast out demons, but if you’re slinging devil mud at me, calling me a devil who kicks out devils, doesn’t the same mud stick to your own exorcists? But if it’s God’s finger I’m pointing that sends the demons on their way, then God’s kingdom is here for sure.
21-22 “When a strong man, armed to the teeth, stands guard in his front yard, his property is safe and sound. But what if a stronger man comes along with superior weapons? Then he’s beaten at his own game, the arsenal that gave him such confidence hauled off, and his precious possessions plundered.
23 “This is war, and there is no neutral ground. If you’re not on my side, you’re the enemy; if you’re not helping, you’re making things worse.
24-26 “When a corrupting spirit is expelled from someone, it drifts along through the desert looking for an oasis, some unsuspecting soul it can bedevil. When it doesn’t find anyone, it says, ‘I’ll go back to my old haunt.’ On return, it finds the person swept and dusted, but vacant. It then runs out and rounds up seven other spirits dirtier than itself and they all move in, whooping it up. That person ends up far worse than if he’d never gotten cleaned up in the first place.”
27 While he was saying these things, some woman lifted her voice above the murmur of the crowd: “Blessed the womb that carried you, and the breasts at which you nursed!”
28 Jesus commented, “Even more blessed are those who hear God’s Word and guard it with their lives!”
Keep Your Eyes Open
29-30 As the crowd swelled, he took a fresh tack: “The mood of this age is all wrong. Everybody’s looking for proof, but you’re looking for the wrong kind. All you’re looking for is something to titillate your curiosity, satisfy your lust for miracles. But the only proof you’re going to get is the Jonah-proof given to the Ninevites, which looks like no proof at all. What Jonah was to Nineveh, the Son of Man is to this age.
31-32 “On Judgment Day the Ninevites will stand up and give evidence that will condemn this generation, because when Jonah preached to them they changed their lives. A far greater preacher than Jonah is here, and you squabble about ‘proofs.’ On Judgment Day the Queen of Sheba will come forward and bring evidence that condemns this generation, because she traveled from a far corner of the earth to listen to wise Solomon. Wisdom far greater than Solomon’s is right in front of you, and you quibble over ‘evidence.’
33-36 “No one lights a lamp, then hides it in a drawer. It’s put on a lamp stand so those entering the room have light to see where they’re going. Your eye is a lamp, lighting up your whole body. If you live wide-eyed in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a musty cellar. Keep your eyes open, your lamp burning, so you don’t get musty and murky. Keep your life as well-lighted as your best-lighted room.”
Frauds!
37-41 When he finished that talk, a Pharisee asked him to dinner. He entered his house and sat right down at the table. The Pharisee was shocked and somewhat offended when he saw that Jesus didn’t wash up before the meal. But the Master said to him, “I know you Pharisees buff the surface of your cups and plates so they sparkle in the sun, but I also know your insides are maggoty with greed and secret evil. Stupid Pharisees! Didn’t the One who made the outside also make the inside? Turn both your pockets and your hearts inside out and give generously to the poor; then your lives will be clean, not just your dishes and your hands.
42 “I’ve had it with you! You’re hopeless, you Pharisees! Frauds! You keep meticulous account books, tithing on every nickel and dime you get, but manage to find loopholes for getting around basic matters of justice and God’s love. Careful bookkeeping is commendable, but the basics are required.
43-44 “You’re hopeless, you Pharisees! Frauds! You love sitting at the head table at church dinners, love preening yourselves in the radiance of public flattery. Frauds! You’re just like unmarked graves: People walk over that nice, grassy surface, never suspecting the rot and corruption that is six feet under.”
45 One of the religion scholars spoke up: “Teacher, do you realize that in saying these things you’re insulting us?”
46 He said, “Yes, and I can be even more explicit. You’re hopeless, you religion scholars! You load people down with rules and regulations, nearly breaking their backs, but never lift even a finger to help.
47-51 “You’re hopeless! You build tombs for the prophets your ancestors killed. The tombs you build are monuments to your murdering ancestors more than to the murdered prophets. That accounts for God’s Wisdom saying, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, but they’ll kill them and run them off.’ What it means is that every drop of righteous blood ever spilled from the time earth began until now, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was struck down between altar and sanctuary, is on your heads. Yes, it’s on the bill of this generation and this generation will pay.
52 “You’re hopeless, you religion scholars! You took the key of knowledge, but instead of unlocking doors, you locked them. You won’t go in yourself, and won’t let anyone else in either.”
53-54 As soon as Jesus left the table, the religion scholars and Pharisees went into a rage. They went over and over everything he said, plotting how they could trap him in something from his own mouth.
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Chinese Contemporary Bible Copyright © 1979, 2005, 2007, 2011 by Biblica® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson