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提防法利赛人的酵(A)

12 那时有成千上万的人聚在一起,甚至彼此践踏。耶稣就先对门徒说:“你们要提防法利赛人的酵,就是虚伪。 没有甚么掩盖的事不被揭露,也没有甚么隐藏的事不被人知道。 所以,你们在暗处所说的,必在明处被人听见;在内室附耳所谈的,必在房顶上宣扬出来。

应该怕谁(B)

“我的朋友,我告诉你们,那杀身体以后不能再作甚么的,不要怕他们。 我要指示你们当怕的是谁:当怕那杀身体以后,有权把人投入地狱里的;我告诉你们,应当怕他。 五只麻雀,不是卖两个大钱吗?但在 神面前,一只也不被忘记。 甚至你们的头发都一一数过了。不要怕,你们比许多麻雀贵重得多呢。

要在人面前承认主(C)

“我告诉你们,凡在人面前承认我的,人子在 神的使者面前也承认他; 在人面前不认我的,我在 神的使者面前也不认他。 10 凡说话得罪人子的,还可以赦免;但亵渎圣灵的,必不得赦免。 11 人把你们拉到会堂、官长和当权者的面前,你们不要思虑怎样申辩或说甚么话。 12 到了时候,圣灵必把当说的话教导你们。”

无知富翁的比喻

13 群众中有一个人对耶稣说:“老师,请吩咐我的兄弟和我分家业。” 14 耶稣说:“你这个人,谁立我作你们的审判官和分家业的人呢?” 15 于是他对众人说:“你们要谨慎,远离一切贪心,因为人的生命并不在于家道丰富。” 16 就对他们讲了一个比喻,说:“有一个富翁的田地丰收。 17 他自己心里说:‘怎么办呢?因为我没有足够的地方收藏出产了!’ 18 又说:‘我要这样办:我要拆掉这些仓房,建造更大的,好在那里收藏我的一切粮食和货物。 19 然后,我要对我的灵魂说:灵魂啊,你拥有许多好东西,足够多年享用,只管安安逸逸地吃喝快乐吧!’ 20  神却对他说:‘无知的人哪,今天晚上,你的灵魂必被取去,你所预备的要归给谁呢?’ 21 凡为自己积财,在 神面前却不富足的,也是这样。”

不要忧虑,积财于天(D)

22 耶稣又对门徒说:“所以我告诉你们,不要为生命忧虑吃甚么,也不要为身体忧虑穿甚么。 23 因为生命比饮食重要,身体比衣服重要。 24 你们想想乌鸦:牠们不种也不收,无仓又无库, 神尚且养活牠们;你们比飞鸟贵重得多了。 25 你们中间谁能用忧虑使自己的寿命延长一刻呢? 26 既然连这极小的事都不能作,为甚么还忧虑其他的事呢? 27 你们想想百合花,怎样不劳苦,也不纺织。但我告诉你们,就是所罗门最荣华的时候所穿的,也比不上这花中的一朵呢。 28 小信的人哪,田野的草,今天还在,明天就投进炉里, 神尚且这样给它装饰,何况你们呢? 29 你们不要求吃甚么,喝甚么,也不要忧虑, 30 因为这一切都是世上不信的人所寻求的。你们的父原知道你们需要这一切。 31 你们只管求他的国,这些东西都必加给你们。 32 你们这小群,不要怕,因为你们的父乐意把国赐给你们。 33 当变卖你们所有的施舍给人,为自己制造不朽坏的钱囊,积蓄用不尽的财宝在天上,就是贼不能近、虫不能蛀的地方。 34 因为你们的财宝在哪里,你们的心也在哪里。

忠心的仆人有福了(E)

35 “你们的腰当束起来,灯也该点着, 36 像等候自己的主人从婚筵回来一样,好叫你们在主人回来敲门时,立刻给他开门。 37 主人来到了,看见仆人警醒,这些仆人就有福了。我实在告诉你们,主人必亲自束腰,招待他们吃饭,进前来侍候他们。 38 主人也许半夜之前,或天亮之前回来,看见他们这样,这些仆人就有福了。 39 你们都知道,家主若晓得窃贼甚么时候来,就不会让他摸进屋里。 40 你们也要准备妥当,因为在想不到的时候,人子就来了。”

41 彼得说:“主啊,你说这比喻,是为我们还是为众人呢?” 42 主说:“谁是那忠心精明的管家,被主人指派管理家里的仆人,按时分粮呢? 43 主人来到的时候,看见他这样作,那仆人就有福了。 44 我实在告诉你们,主人要指派他管理主人的一切财产。 45 如果那仆人心里说:‘我的主人不会那么快回来’,就动手打其他的仆人使女,并且吃喝醉酒; 46 在他想不到的日子、不知道的时间,那仆人的主人要来,严厉地处罚他,使他和不信的人同在一起。 47 那仆人知道主人的意思,却不预备,也不照他的意思行,必多受责打; 48 但那不知道的,虽然作了该受责打的事,也必少受责打。多给谁就向谁多取,多托谁就向谁多要。

将引起纷争(F)

49 “我来要把火投在地上,如果烧了起来,那是我所愿意的。 50 我有应当受的洗,我是多么迫切地期待这事完成。 51 你们以为我来是要地上有和平吗?不是的,我告诉你们,是要有纷争。 52 从今以后,一家五口将起纷争,三个反对两个,两个反对三个。 53 他们将起纷争:

父亲反对儿子,

儿子反对父亲,

母亲反对女儿,

女儿反对母亲,

婆婆反对媳妇,

媳妇反对婆婆。”

当晓得分辨和判断(G)

54 耶稣又对众人说:“你们一看见西边有云彩升起来,就说:‘要下大雨’,果然这样; 55 起了南风,就说:‘天要热了’,也果然这样。 56 伪君子啊!你们知道分辨天地的气象,怎么不知道分辨这个时代呢?

57 “你们为甚么自己不能判断甚么是对的呢? 58 你和你的对头去见官长,还在路上的时候,应当尽力向他求和,免得他把你拉到法官面前,法官把你交给差役,差役把你关在监里。 59 我告诉你,除非你还清最后的一个小钱,否则决不能从那里出来。”

警戒门徒

12 这时,成千上万的人聚集在一起,甚至互相践踏。耶稣先对门徒说:“你们要提防法利赛人的酵,就是他们的伪善。 掩盖的事终会暴露出来,隐藏的秘密终会被人知道。 你们在暗处说的,将在明处被人听见;你们在密室里的私语,将在屋顶上被人宣扬。

“朋友们,我告诉你们,不要惧怕那些杀害人的身体后再也无计可施的人。 我告诉你们应该惧怕谁,要惧怕上帝——祂有权终结人的生命,并把人丢在地狱里。是的,我告诉你们,要惧怕祂!

“五只麻雀不是只卖两个铜钱吗?但上帝连一只麻雀也不会遗忘。 其实就连你们的头发都被数过了。不要害怕,你们比许多麻雀要贵重!

“我告诉你们,凡在人面前承认我的,人子在上帝的天使面前也必承认他。 凡在人面前否认我的,人子在上帝的天使面前也要否认他。 10 说话得罪人子的,还可以得到赦免,但亵渎圣灵的,必得不到赦免! 11 当人押你们到会堂,或到官员和当权者面前时,不要顾虑如何辩解,或说什么话, 12 因为到时候圣灵必指示你们当说的话。”

无知富翁的比喻

13 这时,人群中有人对耶稣说:“老师,请你劝劝我的兄长跟我分家产吧。”

14 耶稣答道:“朋友,谁派我做你们的审判官或仲裁,为你们分家产呢?” 15 接着,祂对众人说:“你们要小心防范一切的贪心,因为人的生命并不在于家道富足。”

16 耶稣又讲了一个比喻,说:“有一个富翁,他的田里大丰收, 17 于是心里盘算,‘我储藏农产的地方不够了,怎么办呢?’ 18 于是他说,‘不如把原有的仓库拆掉,建几座更大的,好储藏我所有的粮食和财物! 19 那时,我就可以对自己说,“你积存这么多财产,一生享用不尽,现在大可高枕无忧、尽情地吃喝玩乐吧!”’ 20 但上帝对他说,‘无知的人啊,今晚就要取走你的命!你所预备的一切留给谁享用呢?’”

21 耶稣说:“这就是那些只顾为自己积财、在上帝面前却不富足之人的写照。”

不要为衣食忧虑

22 耶稣继续对门徒说:“所以,我告诉你们,不要为生活忧虑,如吃什么,也不要为身体忧虑,如穿什么。 23 因为生命比饮食重要,身体比穿着重要。 24 你们看,乌鸦不种也不收,没仓也没库,上帝尚且养活它们,你们比飞鸟不知要贵重多少!

25 “你们谁能用忧虑使自己多活片刻呢? 26 既然你们连这样的小事都无能为力,又何必为其余的事忧虑呢? 27 看看百合花如何生长吧,它们既不劳苦,也不纺织,但我告诉你们,就连所罗门王最显赫时的穿戴还不如一朵百合花!

28 “野地的草今天还在,明天就要被丢在炉中,上帝还这样装扮它们,何况你们呢?你们的信心太小了! 29 你们不要为吃什么喝什么忧虑, 30 因为这些都是外族人的追求,你们的天父知道你们需要这些。 31 你们要寻求祂的国,祂必供给你们的需要。

32 “你们这一小群人啊,不要怕!因为你们的天父乐意把祂的国赐给你们。 33 要变卖你们的家产去周济穷人,要为自己预备永不破损的钱袋,在天上积攒取之不尽的财宝,那里没有贼偷,也没有虫蛀。 34 因为你们的财宝在哪里,你们的心也在哪里。

警醒预备

35 “你们要束上腰带,准备服侍,要点亮灯, 36 像奴仆们等候主人从婚宴回来。主人回来一叩门,奴仆就可以立即给他开门。 37 主人回来,看见奴仆警醒等候,奴仆就有福了!我实在告诉你们,主人必束上腰带请他们坐席,并亲自服侍他们。 38 无论主人在深夜或黎明回家,若发现奴仆警醒等候,奴仆就有福了。

39 “你们都知道,一家的主人若预先知道贼什么时候来,一定不会让贼入屋偷窃。 40 同样,你们也要做好准备,因为在你们意想不到的时候,人子就来了。”

忠仆和恶仆

41 彼得问:“主啊!你这比喻是讲给我们听的,还是讲给众人听的呢?”

42 主说:“谁是那个受主人委托管理家中大小仆役、按时分粮食给他们、又忠心又精明的管家呢? 43 主人回家时,看见他尽忠职守,他就有福了。 44 我实在告诉你们,主人一定会把所有产业都交给他管理。 45 但如果他以为主人不会那么快回来,就殴打仆婢、吃喝醉酒, 46 主人会在他想不到的日子、不知道的时辰回来,严厉地惩罚[a]他,使他和不忠不信的人同受严刑。 47 明知主人的意思却不准备,也不遵行主人吩咐的仆人,必受更重的责打。 48 但因不知道而做了该受惩罚之事的仆人,必少受责打。多给谁,就向谁多取;多托付谁,就向谁多要。

家庭分裂

49 “我来是要把火丢在地上,我多么希望这火已经燃烧起来。 50 我有要受的‘洗礼’,我何等迫切地想完成这‘洗礼’啊! 51 你们以为我来是要使天下太平吗?不,我告诉你们,我来是要使地上起纷争。 52 从今以后,一家五口会彼此相争,三个人反对两个人,或是两个人反对三个人, 53 父子相争,母女对立,婆媳反目。”

明辨是非

54 然后,祂又对众人说:“你们看见云从西方升起,就说,‘快下雨了!’果然如此。 55 南风一起,你们就说,‘天必燥热’,你们也说对了。 56 你们这些伪善的人!既然知道观察天色、预测天气,为什么不知道观察这个世代呢? 57 你们为什么不自己明辨是非呢? 58 如果你和控告你的人要去对薄公堂,要尽量在路上跟对方和解,以免被拉到审判官面前,审判官派差役把你关进监牢。 59 我告诉你,除非你付清所欠的每一分钱,否则休想出监牢。”

Footnotes

  1. 12:46 严厉地惩罚”或作“腰斩”。

La levadura de los fariseos

12 En esto, juntándose por millares la multitud, tanto que unos a otros se atropellaban, comenzó a decir a sus discípulos, primeramente: Guardaos de la levadura de los fariseos,(A) que es la hipocresía. Porque nada hay encubierto, que no haya de descubrirse; ni oculto, que no haya de saberse.(B) Por tanto, todo lo que habéis dicho en tinieblas, a la luz se oirá; y lo que habéis hablado al oído en los aposentos, se proclamará en las azoteas.

A quién se debe temer

(Mt. 10.26-31)

Mas os digo, amigos míos: No temáis a los que matan el cuerpo, y después nada más pueden hacer. Pero os enseñaré a quién debéis temer: Temed a aquel que después de haber quitado la vida, tiene poder de echar en el infierno; sí, os digo, a este temed. ¿No se venden cinco pajarillos por dos cuartos? Con todo, ni uno de ellos está olvidado delante de Dios. Pues aun los cabellos de vuestra cabeza están todos contados. No temáis, pues; más valéis vosotros que muchos pajarillos.

El que me confesare delante de los hombres

Os digo que todo aquel que me confesare delante de los hombres, también el Hijo del Hombre le confesará delante de los ángeles de Dios; mas el que me negare delante de los hombres, será negado delante de los ángeles de Dios. 10 A todo aquel que dijere alguna palabra contra el Hijo del Hombre, le será perdonado; pero al que blasfemare contra el Espíritu Santo, no le será perdonado.(C) 11 Cuando os trajeren a las sinagogas, y ante los magistrados y las autoridades, no os preocupéis por cómo o qué habréis de responder, o qué habréis de decir; 12 porque el Espíritu Santo os enseñará en la misma hora lo que debáis decir.(D)

El rico insensato

13 Le dijo uno de la multitud: Maestro, di a mi hermano que parta conmigo la herencia. 14 Mas él le dijo: Hombre, ¿quién me ha puesto sobre vosotros como juez o partidor? 15 Y les dijo: Mirad, y guardaos de toda avaricia; porque la vida del hombre no consiste en la abundancia de los bienes que posee. 16 También les refirió una parábola, diciendo: La heredad de un hombre rico había producido mucho. 17 Y él pensaba dentro de sí, diciendo: ¿Qué haré, porque no tengo dónde guardar mis frutos? 18 Y dijo: Esto haré: derribaré mis graneros, y los edificaré mayores, y allí guardaré todos mis frutos y mis bienes; 19 y diré a mi alma: Alma, muchos bienes tienes guardados para muchos años; repósate, come, bebe, regocíjate. 20 Pero Dios le dijo: Necio, esta noche vienen a pedirte tu alma; y lo que has provisto, ¿de quién será? 21 Así es el que hace para sí tesoro, y no es rico para con Dios.

El afán y la ansiedad

(Mt. 6.25-34)

22 Dijo luego a sus discípulos: Por tanto os digo: No os afanéis por vuestra vida, qué comeréis; ni por el cuerpo, qué vestiréis. 23 La vida es más que la comida, y el cuerpo que el vestido. 24 Considerad los cuervos, que ni siembran, ni siegan; que ni tienen despensa, ni granero, y Dios los alimenta. ¿No valéis vosotros mucho más que las aves? 25 ¿Y quién de vosotros podrá con afanarse añadir a su estatura un codo? 26 Pues si no podéis ni aun lo que es menos, ¿por qué os afanáis por lo demás? 27 Considerad los lirios, cómo crecen; no trabajan, ni hilan; mas os digo, que ni aun Salomón con toda su gloria(E) se vistió como uno de ellos. 28 Y si así viste Dios la hierba que hoy está en el campo, y mañana es echada al horno, ¿cuánto más a vosotros, hombres de poca fe? 29 Vosotros, pues, no os preocupéis por lo que habéis de comer, ni por lo que habéis de beber, ni estéis en ansiosa inquietud. 30 Porque todas estas cosas buscan las gentes del mundo; pero vuestro Padre sabe que tenéis necesidad de estas cosas. 31 Mas buscad el reino de Dios, y todas estas cosas os serán añadidas.

Tesoro en el cielo

(Mt. 6.19-21)

32 No temáis, manada pequeña, porque a vuestro Padre le ha placido daros el reino. 33 Vended lo que poseéis, y dad limosna; haceos bolsas que no se envejezcan, tesoro en los cielos que no se agote, donde ladrón no llega, ni polilla destruye. 34 Porque donde está vuestro tesoro, allí estará también vuestro corazón.

El siervo vigilante

35 Estén ceñidos vuestros lomos, y vuestras lámparas encendidas;(F) 36 y vosotros sed semejantes a hombres que aguardan a que su señor regrese(G) de las bodas, para que cuando llegue y llame, le abran en seguida. 37 Bienaventurados aquellos siervos a los cuales su señor, cuando venga, halle velando; de cierto os digo que se ceñirá, y hará que se sienten a la mesa, y vendrá a servirles. 38 Y aunque venga a la segunda vigilia, y aunque venga a la tercera vigilia, si los hallare así, bienaventurados son aquellos siervos. 39 Pero sabed esto, que si supiese el padre de familia a qué hora el ladrón había de venir, velaría ciertamente, y no dejaría minar su casa. 40 Vosotros, pues, también, estad preparados, porque a la hora que no penséis, el Hijo del Hombre vendrá.(H)

El siervo infiel

(Mt. 24.45-51)

41 Entonces Pedro le dijo: Señor, ¿dices esta parábola a nosotros, o también a todos? 42 Y dijo el Señor: ¿Quién es el mayordomo fiel y prudente al cual su señor pondrá sobre su casa, para que a tiempo les dé su ración? 43 Bienaventurado aquel siervo al cual, cuando su señor venga, le halle haciendo así. 44 En verdad os digo que le pondrá sobre todos sus bienes. 45 Mas si aquel siervo dijere en su corazón: Mi señor tarda en venir; y comenzare a golpear a los criados y a las criadas, y a comer y beber y embriagarse, 46 vendrá el señor de aquel siervo en día que este no espera, y a la hora que no sabe, y le castigará duramente, y le pondrá con los infieles. 47 Aquel siervo que conociendo la voluntad de su señor, no se preparó, ni hizo conforme a su voluntad, recibirá muchos azotes. 48 Mas el que sin conocerla hizo cosas dignas de azotes, será azotado poco; porque a todo aquel a quien se haya dado mucho, mucho se le demandará; y al que mucho se le haya confiado, más se le pedirá.

Jesús, causa de división

(Mt. 10.34-36)

49 Fuego vine a echar en la tierra; ¿y qué quiero, si ya se ha encendido? 50 De un bautismo tengo que ser bautizado;(I) y ¡cómo me angustio hasta que se cumpla! 51 ¿Pensáis que he venido para dar paz en la tierra? Os digo: No, sino disensión. 52 Porque de aquí en adelante, cinco en una familia estarán divididos, tres contra dos, y dos contra tres. 53 Estará dividido el padre contra el hijo, y el hijo contra el padre; la madre contra la hija, y la hija contra la madre; la suegra contra su nuera, y la nuera contra su suegra.(J)

¿Cómo no reconocéis este tiempo?

(Mt. 16.1-4; Mr. 8.11-13)

54 Decía también a la multitud: Cuando veis la nube que sale del poniente, luego decís: Agua viene; y así sucede. 55 Y cuando sopla el viento del sur, decís: Hará calor; y lo hace. 56 ¡Hipócritas! Sabéis distinguir el aspecto del cielo y de la tierra; ¿y cómo no distinguís este tiempo?

Arréglate con tu adversario

(Mt. 5.25-26)

57 ¿Y por qué no juzgáis por vosotros mismos lo que es justo? 58 Cuando vayas al magistrado con tu adversario, procura en el camino arreglarte con él, no sea que te arrastre al juez, y el juez te entregue al alguacil, y el alguacil te meta en la cárcel. 59 Te digo que no saldrás de allí, hasta que hayas pagado aun la última blanca.

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

12 In the mean time, 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 whatsoever 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 them 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, which after he hath killed hath 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 denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.

10 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost 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 Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

13 And one of the company 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 covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

16 And he spake 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 barns, 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 much 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 provided?

21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward 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 meat, 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 feedeth 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 be 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 clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth 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 that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

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

35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;

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

37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, 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 servants.

39 And this know, that if the goodman 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 cometh 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 meat in due season?

43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

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

45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

47 And that servant, which 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 be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?

50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!

51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:

52 For from henceforth 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 a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.

55 And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh 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 mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.

59 I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.