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。”
Lukas 12
Orthodox Jewish Bible
12 Meanwhile, when the multitudes by the thousands assembled, to the point of trampling one another, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach said this in a yechidus first to his talmidim, Be shomer regarding the chametz of the Perushim, which is their tzeviut (hypocrisy).
2 And nothing that men hide in a cover up is concealed which will not be revealed, and nothing held nistar (hidden) which will not be laid bare.
3 So then, what things you said in the choshech, will be heard in the ohr; and what you whispered in the ear bchadrei chadarim (in a most secret place) will be shouted from the roof tops.
4 I say to you, my chaverim, do not have pachad (terror) of the killers of the basar, who after that have nothing more they can do.
5 But I will show you someone of whom you should have yirah; fear the One who after killing the basar has the samchut to throw into Gehinnom. Ken, I say to you, have yirah (fear) of this One.
6 Are not chamesh sparrows sold for two assarion? And not even one of them has been overlooked in the eynayim of Hashem.
7 But even the hairs of your rosh have all been inventoried. Never fear. You are of more worth than many sparrows.
8 And I say to you, whoever will declare the Ani Maamin public hoda’ah (acknowledgement) of me [as Moshiach] before Bnei Adam, the Ben HaAdam [Moshiach, DANIEL 7:13-14] will make public hodaah (acknowledgement) of him before the malachim of Hashem.
9 But the one having made hakhchashah (denial) of me [as the Ben HaAdam Moshiach, DANIEL 7:13-14] before Bnei Adam will be denied before the malachim of Hashem.
10 And everyone who will say a dvar against the Ben HaAdam [Moshiach, DANIEL 7:13-14], he will be given selicha (forgiveness). But the one having committed Chillul Hashem gidduf (blasphemy) against the Ruach Hakodesh will not be given selicha.
11 And when they bring you in before the shuls and the rulers and the manhigim, do not have a lev rogez about what you should speak in your own hitstaddekut (defense), or about your legal brief.
12 For the Ruach Hakodesh will be your rabbi teaching you in the same hour what it is necessary to say. [SHEMOT 4:12]
13 And someone out of the multitude said to him, Rabbi, speak to my ach to share with me the yerushah (inheritance).
14 But he said to him, Ben Adam, who appointed me a shofet or an arbitrator over you?
15 And Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach said to them, Take care and be shomer against all chamdanut (covetousness), because the Chayyei HaAdam does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. [IYOV 20:20; 31:24; TEHILLIM 62:10]
16 And Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach spoke a mashal (parable) to them saying, An aza (certain) oisher (rich man) had land that produced a good crop.
17 And he was thinking to himself, saying, What should I do? Because I do not have a place where I will store my crops.
18 And he said, This I will do. I will tear down my asim (granaries, storehouses) and I will build larger asim. And there I will gather all my grain and my produce.
19 And I will say to my neshamah, Neshamah, you have an ample store of goods for many years to come. Take your ease, LEEKHOL, VLISHTOT, VLISHMOACH (to eat, to drink, and to be merry (KOHELET 8:15)
20 But Hashem said to him, Goilem! Halailah hazeh your nashamah is required of you. Now to whom will be given what you prepared? [YIRMEYAH 17:11; IYOV 27:8; TEHILLIM 39:6; 49:10]
21 Such is the one hoarding up for himself and not having osher toward Hashem.
22 And Rebbe, Melech, HaMoshiach said to his talmidim, Therefore, I say to you: do not have a LEV ROGEZ (DEVARIM 28:65) for your Chayyim, about your okhel (food) or your basar (body), what you might put on.
23 For the neshamah is more than okhel and the basar more than gartel (belt) and shtreimel (expensive hat). BERESHIS 47:18; TEHILLIM 16:9 10; IYOV 19:25 27, YESHAYAH 53:11
24 Consider the ravens! They do not sow nor reap, they have no storeroom or asam (granary), yet Hashem feeds them. Of how much more worth are you than the OPH HASHOMAYIM [IYOV 38:41; TEHILLIM 147:9]
25 And can any of you by means of a LEV ROGEZ add one cubit to your span of Chayyim?
26 If then you are not able to do even a small thing, why have a LEV ROGEZ about the rest?
27 Consider the lilies! How they grow! A lily does not labor nor spin. But I say to you, not even Shlomo HaMelech in all his kavod was arrayed like one of these. [MELACHIM ALEF 10:4 7]
28 And if Hashem so enrobes the grass of the field, which is here hayom (today) and thrown into the eish makhar (tomorrow), how much more will Hashem enrobe you, you ones of little bitachon.
29 And don’t keep striving after okhel (food) and skikuy (drink), and don’t have a lev rogez (anxious heart).
30 For all these things the Goyim of the Olam Hazeh strive after, but your Av [shbaShomayim] has daas (knowledge) that you need these things.
31 But seek the Malchut Hashem, and these things will be added to you as well.
32 Do not have pachad (terror, fear), Eder Katan (Little Flock), because it is the ratzon, the chefetz (desire) of your Av [shbaShomayim] to give you the Malchut.
33 Sell your possesions and give tzedakah. Make for yourselves the baitel (wallet) that doesn’t wear out, an inexhaustlble otzar (treasure) in Shomayim, where no ganav (thief) comes near nor moth destroys.
34 For where your otzar (treasure) is, there also will be your lev (heart).
35 Tighten your gartels for action and have your menorahs lit.
36 And you should be like bnei Adam who expectantly khakeh l’vo’o shel (await the arrival of) their Adon when he returns from the Chasunoh, in order that, when he comes and knocks, ofen ort they may open the delet for him.
37 Ashrey are those avadim (servants), whom, having come, the Adon will find keeping shomer. Omein, I say to you, that he will fasten his gartel, and have those avadim (servants) sit down to tish, and he will come and serve them.
38 And if in the second or if in the third watch he comes and finds it thus, ashrey (happy, blessed) are those.
39 But have daas of this, that if the Baal Bayit had had da’as in what hour the ganav (thief) comes, he would not have allowed his bais to be broken into.
40 So you be shomer, for the Ben HaAdam [Moshiach, DANIEL 7:13-14] comes in an hour you do not think.
41 And Kefa said, Adoneinu, are you speaking this mashal for us or for all?
42 And HaAdon said, Who then is the sochen haneeman and navon (faithful and wise steward) whom HaAdon will appoint over his avadim to give them their okhel (food) allowance at the proper time?
43 Ashrey is that eved, whom, having come, his Adon will find doing thus.
44 Omein, I say to you, that he will appoint him over all that he has.
45 But if that eved says in his lev, Adoni delays to come to me, and if that eved begins to beat the avadim (servants) and the shfakhot (maid servants), and to gluttonize and get down in his schnapps,
46 HaAdon of that eved will come on a day which he does not expect and at an hour of which he does not have da’as, and will cut him in pieces and assign him the portion of the Apikoros with the koferim (unbelievers).
47 That eved, who had daas of the ratzon of his Adon and did not get prepared or do according to his ratzon, will be beaten with a klap (blow) and not a few. [DEVARIM 25:2]
48 But the one not having had daas, but having done things worthy of a klap, will receive but a few. But to everyone to whom much was given, much will be required from him, and to whom was entrusted much, even more achraius (accountability) will be required. [VAYIKRA 5:17; BAMIDBAR 15:27-30]
49 I came to throw Eish on the earth, and how I wish it was already kindled!
50 And I have a tevilah I have to undergo, and how I am distressed until it is completed.
51 Do you think that I came to bring Shalom on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather machaloket (division, controversy).
52 For there will be from now in one bais (household) chamesh (five) having been divided, shalosha against shenayim and shenayim against shalosha,
53 AV will be divided against BEN and BEN against AV, EM (mother) against BAT and BAT against EM, KALLAH BACHAMOT (daughter-in law against mother-inlaw) and CHAMOT against KALLAH. [MICHOH 7:6]
54 And he was saying also to the multitudes, When you see the anan rising over the maarav (west), ofen ort you say, Geshem (rain) is coming, and so it happens.
55 And when there is a south wind blowing, you say, It will be kham (hot), and it happens.
56 Tzevu’im! You have daas how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; how is it, then, that you do not have daas of how to interpret HaZman HaZeh (This Time)?
57 And why also for yourselves do you not judge what is yashar (straight, right)?
58 For as you go with your ish riv (opponent in a lawsuit) to appear before the magistrate, on the derech make an effort to settle with him, lest he drag you to the shofet, and the shofet will hand over you to the shoter, and the shoter will throw you into the beit hasohar.
59 I say to you, by no means may you come out, until even the last peruta (small coin) you pay back.
Luke 12
Good News Translation
A Warning against Hypocrisy(A)
12 (B)As thousands of people crowded together, so that they were stepping on each other, Jesus said first to his disciples, “Be on guard against the yeast of the Pharisees—I mean their hypocrisy. 2 (C)Whatever is covered up will be uncovered, and every secret will be made known. 3 So then, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in broad daylight, and whatever you have whispered in private in a closed room will be shouted from the housetops.
Whom to Fear(D)
4 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot afterward do anything worse. 5 I will show you whom to fear: fear God, who, after killing, has the authority to throw into hell. Believe me, he is the one you must fear!
6 “Aren't five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one sparrow is forgotten by God. 7 Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth much more than many sparrows!
Confessing and Rejecting Christ(E)
8 “I assure you that those who declare publicly that they belong to me, the Son of Man will do the same for them before the angels of God. 9 But those who reject me publicly, the Son of Man will also reject them before the angels of God.
10 (F)“Whoever says a word against the Son of Man can be forgiven; but whoever says evil things against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
11 (G)“When they bring you to be tried in the synagogues or before governors or rulers, do not be worried about how you will defend yourself or what you will say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”
The Parable of the Rich Fool
13 A man in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide with me the property our father left us.”
14 Jesus answered him, “Friend, who gave me the right to judge or to divide the property between you two?” 15 And he went on to say to them all, “Watch out and guard yourselves from every kind of greed; because your true life is not made up of the things you own, no matter how rich you may be.”
16 Then Jesus told them this parable: “There was once a rich man who had land which bore good crops. 17 He began to think to himself, ‘I don't have a place to keep all my crops. What can I do? 18 This is what I will do,’ he told himself; ‘I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, where I will store the grain and all my other goods. 19 (H)Then I will say to myself, Lucky man! You have all the good things you need for many years. Take life easy, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself!’ 20 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night you will have to give up your life; then who will get all these things you have kept for yourself?’”
21 And Jesus concluded, “This is how it is with those who pile up riches for themselves but are not rich in God's sight.”
Trust in God(I)
22 Then Jesus said to the disciples, “And so I tell you not to worry about the food you need to stay alive or about the clothes you need for your body. 23 Life is much more important than food, and the body much more important than clothes. 24 Look at the crows: they don't plant seeds or gather a harvest; they don't have storage rooms or barns; God feeds them! You are worth so much more than birds! 25 Can any of you live a bit longer[a] by worrying about it? 26 If you can't manage even such a small thing, why worry about the other things? 27 (J)Look how the wild flowers grow: they don't work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you that not even King Solomon with all his wealth had clothes as beautiful as one of these flowers. 28 It is God who clothes the wild grass—grass that is here today and gone tomorrow, burned up in the oven. Won't he be all the more sure to clothe you? What little faith you have!
29 “So don't be all upset, always concerned about what you will eat and drink. 30 (For the pagans of this world are always concerned about all these things.) Your Father knows that you need these things. 31 Instead, be concerned with his Kingdom, and he will provide you with these things.
Riches in Heaven(K)
32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the Kingdom. 33 Sell all your belongings and give the money to the poor. Provide for yourselves purses that don't wear out, and save your riches in heaven, where they will never decrease, because no thief can get to them, and no moth can destroy them. 34 For your heart will always be where your riches are.
Watchful Servants
35 (L)“Be ready for whatever comes, dressed for action and with your lamps lit, 36 (M)like servants who are waiting for their master to come back from a wedding feast. When he comes and knocks, they will open the door for him at once. 37 How happy are those servants whose master finds them awake and ready when he returns! I tell you, he will take off his coat, have them sit down, and will wait on them. 38 How happy they are if he finds them ready, even if he should come at midnight or even later! 39 (N)And you can be sure that if the owner of a house knew the time when the thief would come, he would not let the thief break into his house. 40 And you, too, must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you are not expecting him.”
The Faithful or the Unfaithful Servant(O)
41 Peter said, “Lord, does this parable apply to us, or do you mean it for everyone?”
42 The Lord answered, “Who, then, is the faithful and wise servant? He is the one that his master will put in charge, to run the household and give the other servants their share of the food at the proper time. 43 How happy that servant is if his master finds him doing this when he comes home! 44 Indeed, I tell you, the master will put that servant in charge of all his property. 45 But if that servant says to himself that his master is taking a long time to come back and if he begins to beat the other servants, both the men and the women, and eats and drinks and gets drunk, 46 then the master will come back one day when the servant does not expect him and at a time he does not know. The master will cut him in pieces[b] and make him share the fate of the disobedient.
47 “The servant who knows what his master wants him to do, but does not get himself ready and do it, will be punished with a heavy whipping. 48 But the servant who does not know what his master wants, and yet does something for which he deserves a whipping, will be punished with a light whipping. Much is required from the person to whom much is given; much more is required from the person to whom much more is given.
Jesus the Cause of Division(P)
49 “I came to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 (Q)I have a baptism to receive, and how distressed I am until it is over! 51 Do you suppose that I came to bring peace to the world? No, not peace, but division. 52 From now on a family of five will be divided, three against two and two against three. 53 (R)Fathers will be against their sons, and sons against their fathers; mothers will be against their daughters, and daughters against their mothers; mothers-in-law will be against their daughters-in-law, and daughters-in-law against their mothers-in-law.”
Understanding the Time(S)
54 Jesus said also to the people, “When you see a cloud coming up in the west, at once you say that it is going to rain—and it does. 55 And when you feel the south wind blowing, you say that it is going to get hot—and it does. 56 Hypocrites! You can look at the earth and the sky and predict the weather; why, then, don't you know the meaning of this present time?
Settle with Your Opponent(T)
57 “Why do you not judge for yourselves the right thing to do? 58 If someone brings a lawsuit against you and takes you to court, do your best to settle the dispute before you get to court. If you don't, you will be dragged before the judge, who will hand you over to the police, and you will be put in jail. 59 There you will stay, I tell you, until you pay the last penny of your fine.”
Footnotes
- Luke 12:25 live a bit longer; or grow a bit taller.
- Luke 12:46 cut him in pieces; or throw him out.
Chinese New Version (CNV). Copyright © 1976, 1992, 1999, 2001, 2005 by Worldwide Bible Society.
Copyright © 2004 by World Bible Translation Center
Copyright © 2002, 2003, 2008, 2010, 2011 by Artists for Israel International
Good News Translation® (Today’s English Version, Second Edition) © 1992 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. For more information about GNT, visit www.bibles.com and www.gnt.bible.
