路加福音 12
Chinese New Version (Simplified)
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。 2 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。 3 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)
4 “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。 5 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。 6 五只麻雀,不是卖两个大钱吗?但在 神面前,一只也不被忘记。 7 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)
8 “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; 9 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。”
路 加 福 音 12
Chinese New Testament: Easy-to-Read Version
不要像法利赛人一样
12 这时,成千上万的人聚集在那里,人多得直互相踩脚。耶稣首先对他的门徒们说∶“你们要当心法利赛人的酵母,我的意思是:要当心他们的虚伪。 2 所有隐藏的事情都会暴露;所有的秘密都会被人知道。 3 因此,你们在私下说的话,会被公开;你们在密室里的耳语,会在房顶上被公之于众。”
只畏惧上帝
4 “但是,我告诉你们,我的朋友,不要害怕那些杀害了你们的肉体后便无计可施的人; 5 我告诉你们该怕谁,要害怕上帝,他不但能杀了你们,他还有权力把你们投入地狱。是的,上帝才是你们该害怕的那位。
6 “五只麻雀不是只值两分钱吗?可是,上帝不会忘记任何一只的。 7 上帝甚至知道你们有多少根头发,所以,不要害怕,你们要比许多麻雀贵重的多。
不要为信仰而羞耻
8 “我告诉你们,谁在众人面前承认我,人子一定也会在上帝的天使面前承认他; 9 谁在众人面前否认我,他也会在上帝的天使面前遭到否认。
10 诽谤人子的人会受到宽恕,而亵渎圣灵的人,却绝对得不到饶恕。
11 当他们把你们带到会堂、或者带到统治者和掌权人面前时,不必担心如何为自己辩解,或者该说什么, 12 因为,那一时刻,圣灵会指示你们该说的话。”
耶稣警诫自私
13 此刻,人群中有人对耶稣说∶“老师,请吩咐我的兄弟和我一起分我父亲的遗产吧!” 14 但是,耶稣对他说∶“你这个人呀,谁任命我做你们的裁判人或公断人的呢?” 15 耶稣对他们说∶“你们一定要当心,要免去一切贪婪,因为,即使一个人拥有的比他所需要的还多,他也不会从他的财产中获得生命的。”
16 耶稣接着又讲了这样一个故事∶“从前,有个财主,地里的庄稼收成非常好, 17 于是他便寻思道∶‘我没有足够的地方去储存我的粮食,我该怎么办呢?’ 18 然后他说∶‘这是我将要做的:拆掉我原来的粮仓,再盖一些更大的,那样我将把我所有的粮食和好东西都储存在那里, 19 并且我将对自己说:‘我存的钱粮足够很多年的,所以,就只管安安逸逸地过日子,尽情地吃喝玩乐吧!’ 20 但是,上帝对他说∶‘傻瓜,今晚你的生命将被夺走,那么,你准备的东西又归谁呢?’
21 “这是为自己积累钱财的人会遇到的事,在上帝的眼里,他并不富有。”
把上帝王国放在首位
22 耶稣又对门徒们说∶“因此,我告诉你们,不要为维持生活的事操心,不要为吃什么或穿什么操心, 23 因为,生命比食物更重要,身体比你们穿的衣服更重要。 24 看看那些鸟吧,它们既不播种也不收获,既没有贮藏室也没有粮仓,可是,上帝仍旧饲养着它们,而你们要比这些鸟贵重多了! 25 你们中间,又有谁会因为操心让他的寿命延长一小时呢? 26 如果你们连这一点小事都做不到,那为什么你们还要为其余的事担心呢? 27 想想野花是怎么生长的吧!它们既不为自己劳作,也不为自己纺衣。我告诉你们,尽管所罗门是荣华显赫的君王,可是,他的衣着却依旧比不上这些野花中的任何一朵美丽。 28 虽然这些花草今朝生机昂然,明天将被投进火炉烧掉,但上帝还如此精心地装饰着它们,那么,上帝会更加装扮你们的。你们这些缺乏信仰的人!
29 你们不要总想着吃什么,喝什么,不要为这些事担心, 30 这是那些不知道上帝的人总惦记的事,但是,你们的父亲知道你们需要这一切。 31 你们考虑的事情应该是上帝的王国,他就会另外赐给你们其它所需要的一切。
不要相信金钱
32 “你们这小小的人群,不要害怕。因为,上帝乐意把他的王国赐给你们的。 33 所以,你们要卖掉自己的家产,把钱分给穷人,为自己提供永不会破旧的钱袋,即在天堂里用之不竭的宝藏,在那里盗贼偷不到,虫也蛀不着。 34 你们的财宝在哪里,你们的心也会在那里。
时刻准备着
35 “你们要随时准备好!你们要系好腰带,把灯点上, 36 就像仆人正等待着主人从婚宴上返回一样,以便当他回来一敲门,能够立刻为他把门打开。 37 当主人发现仆人警醒着,并为他的到来准备好了一切,那么,这些人就有福了。实话告诉你们吧,主人甚至会穿上工作服,让仆人们坐在饭桌边,他来伺候他的仆人们。 38 无论是主人在半夜回来,还是更晚些时候回来,只要他回来时发现仆人们仍然等着他,他们就有福了。 39 但是,一定要记住:如果房主知道盗贼什么时候来,他就不会让他破门而入。 40 你们也必须准备好,因为人子将在你们意料不到的时候来临。”
谁是可以信赖的仆人?
41 这时,彼得说道∶“主人啊,你是在对我们讲这个故事,还是对所有的人呢?”
42 主又说道∶“那么,谁是这个既忠实、又明智的管家呢?主人派他管理他所有的仆人,按时把口粮分配给他们。 43 主人回来时,看见那个仆人忠于职守,那么这个仆人就要有福了。 44 我实话告诉你们,主人会让这个奴仆掌管他所有的财产。 45 但是,假设有一个恶奴,他自言自语道∶‘我的主人很久以后才回来。’然后开始动手打其他的男仆和女仆,而且大吃大喝,喝得醉熏熏的。 46 主人将在那个仆人意料不到的一天,在他不知道的时刻回来,主人将会严厉地惩罚这个仆人,把他打发去和那些不忠诚的人在一起。
47 其实,这个仆人是知道主人的心愿的,可他还是不做好准备,或者说,他不做主人要他做的事情,所以,他将挨一顿痛打。 48 但是如果他不知道主人的心思,可做出了该打的事情来,那么,他将挨一顿轻打。得到多的人,对他的期待也多;受委托多的人,人们对他的要求也多。
跟随耶稣会给你们带来烦恼
49 我到地球上,是来点燃烽火的,我多么希望现在这火已经被点燃了! 50 我必须受到另外一种洗礼,我是如此地忧虑,直到这洗礼完成。 51 你们以为我来是在人间建立和平的吗?不是,我告诉你们,我是来分裂的。 52 因为,从现在起,五口人之家将要分裂,三个反对两人,两个反对三个。
53 父子将会分争,彼此做对;
母女将会分争,彼此做对;
婆媳将会分争,彼此做对。”
理解时代
54 耶稣又对人群说∶“你们看到西边有云彩出现时,你们立即会说∶‘天要下雨了,’果然如此。 55 刮南风时,你们会说∶“天气将很热”,事实上也确实如此。 56 虚伪的人啊!你们知道怎样去理解大地和天空的种种现象,可是你们为什么就不知道如何去理解现世呢?
解决你们的问题
57 “你们为什么不自己去判断什么是正确的呢? 58 你和你的对头去见法官时,在路上时要尽力与他和解了,否则,他会把你拉到法官面前,法官会把你交给法警,然后法警又会把你投进监狱。 59 我告诉你,除非你偿还了最后一分钱,你别想从监狱里出来。”
Luke 12
The Voice
12 The crowds at this time were packed in so tightly that thousands of people were stepping on each other. Jesus spoke to His disciples, knowing that the crowds could overhear.
Jesus: Guard yourselves from the yeast that puffs up the Pharisees—hypocrisy, false appearance, trying to look better than you really are.
2 Nothing is covered up that won’t be discovered; nothing is hidden that won’t be exposed. 3 Whatever a person says in the dark will be published in the light of day, and whatever a person whispers in private rooms will be broadcast from the housetops.
4 Listen, My friends, if people are trying to kill you, why be afraid? After you’re dead, what more can they do? 5-6 Here’s whose opinion you should be concerned about: the One who can take your life and then throw you into hell! He’s the only One you should fear! But don’t misunderstand: you don’t really need to be afraid of God, because God cares for every little sparrow. How much is a sparrow worth—don’t five of them sell for a few cents?[a] 7 Since you are so much more precious to God than a thousand flocks of sparrows, and since God knows you in every detail—down to the number of hairs on your head at this moment—you can be secure and unafraid of any person, and you have nothing to fear from God either.
8 That’s why I keep telling you not to be intimidated. If you identify unashamedly with Me before others, I, the Son of Man, will affirm you before God and all the heavenly messengers. 9 But if you deny Me before others, you will be denied before God and all the heavenly messengers. 10 People can speak a word against Me, the Son of Man, and the sin is forgivable. But they can go too far, slandering the testimony of the Holy Spirit by rejecting His message about Me, and they won’t be forgiven for that.
11 So you can anticipate that you will be put on trial before the synagogues and religious officials. Don’t worry how you’ll respond, and don’t worry what you should say. 12 The Holy Spirit will give you the words to say at the moment when you need them.
In the kingdom of God, money is valued in a very different way. In fact, concern for money can easily turn the spiritual life into a lukewarm, halfhearted affair.
13 A person in the crowd got Jesus’ attention.
Person in the Crowd: Teacher, intervene and tell my brother to share the family inheritance with me.
Jesus: 14 Since when am I your judge or arbitrator?
15 Then He used that opportunity to speak to the crowd.
Jesus: You’d better be on your guard against any type of greed, for a person’s life is not about having a lot of possessions.
16 (then, beginning another parable) A wealthy man owned some land that produced a huge harvest. 17 He often thought to himself, “I have a problem here. I don’t have anywhere to store all my crops. What should I do? 18 I know! I’ll tear down my small barns and build even bigger ones, and then I’ll have plenty of storage space for my grain and all my other goods. 19 Then I’ll be able to say to myself, ‘I have it made! I can relax and take it easy for years! So I’ll just sit back, eat, drink, and have a good time!’”
20 Then God interrupted the man’s conversation with himself. “Excuse Me, Mr. Brilliant, but your time has come. Tonight you will die. Now who will enjoy everything you’ve earned and saved?”
21 This is how it will be for people who accumulate huge assets for themselves but have no assets in relation to God.
22 (then, to His disciples) This is why I keep telling you not to worry about anything in life—about what you’ll eat, about how you’ll clothe your body. 23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than fancy clothes. 24 Think about those crows flying over there: do they plant and harvest crops? Do they own silos or barns? Look at them fly. It looks like God is taking pretty good care of them, doesn’t it? Remember that you are more precious to God than birds! 25 Which one of you can add a single hour to your life or 18 inches[b] to your height by worrying really hard? 26 If worry can’t change anything, why do you do it so much?
27 Think about those beautiful wild lilies growing over there. They don’t work up a sweat toiling for needs or wants—they don’t worry about clothing. Yet the great King Solomon never had an outfit that was half as glorious as theirs!
28 Look at the grass growing over there. One day it’s thriving in the fields. The next day it’s being used as fuel. If God takes such good care of such transient things, how much more you can depend on God to care for you, weak in faith as you are. 29 Don’t reduce your life to the pursuit of food and drink; don’t let your mind be filled with anxiety. 30 People of the world who don’t know God pursue these things, but you have a Father caring for you, a Father who knows all your needs.
31 Since you don’t need to worry—about security and safety, about food and clothing—then pursue God’s kingdom first and foremost, and these other things will come to you as well.
32 My little flock, don’t be afraid. God is your Father, and your Father’s great joy is to give you His kingdom.
33 That means you can sell your possessions and give generously to the poor. You can have a different kind of savings plan: one that never depreciates, one that never defaults, one that can’t be plundered by crooks or destroyed by natural calamities. 34 Your treasure will be stored in the heavens, and since your treasure is there, your heart will be lodged there as well.
35-36 I’m not just talking theory. There is urgency in all this. If you’re apathetic and complacent, then you’ll miss the moment of opportunity. You should be wide awake and on your toes like servants who are waiting for their master to return from a big wedding reception. They’ll have their shoes on and their lamps lit so they can open the door for him as soon as he arrives home. 37 How fortunate those servants will be when the master knocks and they open the door immediately! You know what the master will do? He’ll put on an apron, sit them down at the kitchen table, and he’ll serve them a midnight snack. 38 The later he comes home—whether it’s at midnight or even later, just before dawn—the more fortunate the alert servants will be.
39 In contrast, imagine a complacent, apathetic household manager whose house gets robbed. If he had been aware that thieves were waiting in the bushes and what hour they were coming, [he would have watched and][c] he never would have left the house! 40 I’m trying to tell you that these are times for alertness, times requiring a sense of urgency and intensity, because like the master in the first story or the thief in the second, the Son of Man shows up by surprise.
Peter: 41 Lord, I’m not sure if this parable is intended only for us disciples or if this is for everyone else too.
Jesus: 42 Imagine the stories of two household managers, and decide for yourself which one is faithful and smart. Each household manager is told by his master to take good care of all his possessions and to oversee the other employees—the butlers, cooks, gardeners, and so on. 43 One servant immediately busies himself in doing just what he was told. His master eventually comes to check on him 44 and rewards him with a major promotion and with more responsibility and trust. 45 The other household manager thinks, “Look, my boss is going to be gone for a long time. I can be complacent; there’s no urgency here.” So he beats the other employees—the women as well as the men. He sits around like a slob, eating and getting drunk. 46 Then the boss comes home unexpectedly and catches him by surprise. One household manager will be fortunate indeed, and the other will be cut into pieces and thrown out.
47 Now if a servant who is given clear instructions by his master doesn’t follow those instructions but instead is complacent and apathetic, then he will be punished severely. 48 But if a servant doesn’t know what his master expects and behaves badly, then he will receive a lighter punishment. If you are given much, much will be required of you. If much is entrusted to you, much will be expected of you.
49 This is serious business we’re involved in. My mission is to send a purging fire on the earth! In fact, I can hardly wait to see the smoke rising. 50 I have a kind of baptism to go through, and I can’t relax until My mission is accomplished! 51 Do you think I’ve come with a nice little message of peace? No way. Believe Me, My message will divide. 52 It will divide a household of five into three against two or two against three. 53 It will divide 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.[d]
54 (speaking to the crowd) You see a cloud arise from the sea in the west, and you can say, “Here comes a shower!” And you’re right. 55 Or you feel the hot wind blowing in from the desert in the south and you say, “It’s going to be really hot!” And you’re right. 56 Listen, hypocrites! You can predict the weather by paying attention to the sky and the earth, but why can’t you interpret the urgency of this present moment? 57 Why don’t you see it for yourselves?
58 Imagine you’re being sued. You and your accuser are on your way to court. Wouldn’t you do everything in your power to settle out of court before you stand before the magistrate? After all, he might drag you to stand before the judge, and the judge might hand you over to the police, and they might throw you in jail. 59 Once you’re in jail, it’s too late: you’re not going anywhere until you’ve paid in full.
Luke 12
New International Version
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) 2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.(C) 3 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.
4 “I tell you, my friends,(D) do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 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) 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.(F) Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.(G)
8 “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God.(H) 9 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
- Luke 12:1 Or speak to his disciples, saying: “First of all, be
- Luke 12:25 Or single cubit to your height
Luke 12
King James Version
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.
2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
3 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.
4 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.
5 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.
6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?
7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
9 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.
Chinese New Version (CNV). Copyright © 1976, 1992, 1999, 2001, 2005 by Worldwide Bible Society.
Copyright © 2004 by World Bible Translation Center
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
