迷失的羊

15 许多税吏和罪人都来听耶稣讲道, 法利赛人和律法教师埋怨说:“这个人竟和罪人来往,还跟他们一起吃饭。”

耶稣给他们讲了一个比喻: “如果你们有人有一百只羊,走失了一只,难道他不暂时把那九十九只留在草场上,去找那只迷失的羊,一直到找着为止吗? 他找到后,会欢欢喜喜地把那只羊扛回家, 并邀来朋友邻居,说,‘我走失的羊找到了,来和我一同庆祝吧!’ 我告诉你们,同样,一个罪人悔改,在天上也要这样为他欢喜,甚至比有九十九个不用悔改的义人还欢喜。

丢钱的比喻

“又比如一个妇人有十块钱,不小心弄丢了一块,难道她不点亮灯,打扫房子,仔细寻找一直到找着为止吗? 她找到后,会邀朋友邻居来,说,‘我丢的钱找到了,来和我一同庆祝吧!’ 10 我告诉你们,同样,一个罪人悔改,上帝的众天使也会这样为他欢喜。”

浪子回头

11 耶稣又说:“某人有两个儿子。 12 小儿子对父亲说,‘父亲,请你把我应得的家产分给我。’父亲就把财产分给了两个儿子。

13 “没过几天,小儿子带着他所有的财物出门远游去了。他终日在外花天酒地,挥金如土, 14 很快囊空如洗,又遇到严重的饥荒,就陷入困境, 15 只好投靠一个当地人。那人派他到田里去放猪, 16 他饿到恨不得拿喂猪的豆荚充饥,可是连这些也没有人给他。 17 最后,他醒悟过来,心想,‘在我父亲家里,连雇工的口粮都绰绰有余,我现在却要在这里饿死吗? 18 我要动身回到我父亲身边,对他说,父亲,我得罪了天,也得罪了你, 19 今后,我再也不配做你的儿子,请把我当作雇工看待吧。’ 20 于是他动身回家。

“他父亲远远地看见他,就动了慈心,跑上前去抱着他连连亲吻。 21 小儿子说,‘父亲,我得罪了天,也得罪了你,今后,我再也不配做你的儿子。’

22 “父亲却对奴仆说,‘赶快拿最好的袍子来给他穿上,给他戴上戒指,穿上鞋, 23 把那只肥牛犊牵来宰了,让我们一同欢宴庆祝! 24 因我这儿子是死而复活、失而复得的。’于是他们欢宴庆祝。

25 “那时,大儿子正在田间。当他回来还没到门口,就听见家里传出奏乐跳舞的声音。 26 他叫来一个奴仆问个究竟。

27 “奴仆回答说,‘你弟弟回来了!你父亲因他无灾无难地回来,特地宰了那只肥牛犊。’ 28 大儿子很生气,不肯进去。父亲就出来劝他。

29 “他对父亲说,‘你看,我伺候你这么多年,从来没有违背过你的命令,可是你没有给过我一只羊羔,让我和朋友一同欢宴。 30 但你这个儿子在娼妓身上耗尽家财,一回来,你倒为他宰了肥牛犊!’

31 “父亲对他说,‘孩子啊!你一直在我身边,我所有的一切都是你的。 32 可是你弟弟是死而复活、失而复得的,所以我们应该欢喜快乐。’”

善用钱财

16 耶稣又对门徒说:“某财主有个管家,有人控告这管家浪费主人的财物。 财主便把管家召来,对他说,‘听说你浪费我的财物,到底是怎么回事?把帐目交代清楚,你不能再当管家了。’

“管家私下盘算,‘主人要辞退我了,怎么办呢?锄地我没有力气,讨饭我又感到羞耻。 我知道该怎么办了!就算被辞退了,也会有人照应我。’ 于是,他把欠他主人债的一个一个召来,问第一个,‘你欠了我主人多少?’

“他回答说,‘一百桶油。’

“管家说,‘这是你的帐,快坐下,改成五十吧!’

“管家又问另一个,‘你欠多少?’

“他回答说,‘一百石麦子。’

“管家说,‘这是你的帐,改成八十石吧。’

“主人夸奖这个不义的管家精明。因为今世的儿女在处理世事方面比光明的儿女更精明。

“我告诉你们,要善用今世[a]的钱财,广结朋友。这样,当钱财不管用时,他们会接你们到永远的居所。

见微知著

10 “一个人在小事上忠心,在大事上也会忠心;在小事上靠不住,在大事上更靠不住。 11 如果你们不能忠心地处理今世的财富,谁会把真正的财富交托给你们呢? 12 如果你们不能忠心地处理别人的产业,谁会把你们名下的产业交给你们呢? 13 一个仆人不能服侍两位主人,因为他不是恨这位、爱那位,就是重这位、轻那位。你们不能又事奉上帝,又崇拜金钱。”

警戒贪财的法利赛人

14 法利赛人向来贪财,他们一面听一面嗤笑耶稣。 15 耶稣对他们说:“你们在人面前自以为义,但上帝能看透你们的心。因为世人所看重的东西在上帝看来却是可憎的。 16 约翰还没有来以前,律法书和先知书是你们的准则。他出来后,上帝国的福音开始广传,人人都在努力进上帝的国。 17 不过,就是天地都消失,律法的一点一划也不会失效。 18 任何人休妻另娶,就是犯通奸罪,娶被休的女子也是犯通奸罪。”

财主和乞丐

19 耶稣又说:“有个财主天天衣着华丽,生活奢侈。 20 又有一个名叫拉撒路的乞丐身上长满了脓疮,被人放在财主家门口。 21 他渴望吃到财主桌上掉下来的食物残渣,却只有狗来舔他的疮。

22 “后来,乞丐死了,天使带他到亚伯拉罕身边。财主也死了,被人埋葬了。 23 他在阴间受折磨,抬头远远地看见亚伯拉罕和他身边的拉撒路, 24 就喊着说,‘我的先祖亚伯拉罕啊!求你可怜我,派拉撒路用指尖蘸点水来润润我的舌头吧!我在这火中实在痛苦不堪。’

25 “亚伯拉罕说,‘孩子啊!你要想想,你生前享福,而拉撒路受苦;如今他在这里得到安慰,而你受折磨。 26 况且,在你我中间隔着一道深渊,这边的人不能到你那边去,你那边的人也不能到这里来。’

27 “财主说,‘我的先祖啊,那么求你派拉撒路去我父亲家里, 28 因为我有五个弟兄。让拉撒路去警告他们,以免他们也来到这痛苦的地方。’

29 “但是亚伯拉罕却说,‘他们可以听从摩西和众先知的话呀!’

30 “财主回答说,‘我的先祖亚伯拉罕啊!他们不会听的。但如果有一个死而复活的人去警告他们,他们肯定会悔改!’

31 “亚伯拉罕说,‘如果他们不听从摩西和众先知的话,即使一个人从死里复活,他们也不会信服。’”

Footnotes

  1. 16:9 今世”希腊文是“不义”。

迷失的羊

15 許多稅吏和罪人都來聽耶穌講道, 法利賽人和律法教師埋怨說:「這個人竟和罪人來往,還跟他們一起吃飯。」

耶穌給他們講了一個比喻: 「如果你們有人有一百隻羊,走失了一隻,難道他不暫時把那九十九隻留在草場上,去找那隻迷失的羊,一直到找著為止嗎? 他找到後,會歡歡喜喜地把那隻羊扛回家, 並邀來朋友鄰居,說,『我走失的羊找到了,來和我一同慶祝吧!』 我告訴你們,同樣,一個罪人悔改,在天上也要這樣為他歡喜,甚至比有九十九個不用悔改的義人還歡喜。

丟錢的比喻

「又比如一個婦人有十塊錢,不小心弄丟了一塊,難道她不點亮燈,打掃房子,仔細尋找一直到找著為止嗎? 她找到後,會邀朋友鄰居來,說,『我丟的錢找到了,來和我一同慶祝吧!』 10 我告訴你們,同樣,一個罪人悔改,上帝的眾天使也會這樣為他歡喜。」

浪子回頭

11 耶穌又說:「某人有兩個兒子。 12 小兒子對父親說,『父親,請你把我應得的家產分給我。』父親就把財產分給了兩個兒子。

13 「沒過幾天,小兒子帶著他所有的財物出門遠遊去了。他終日在外花天酒地,揮金如土, 14 很快囊空如洗,又遇到嚴重的饑荒,就陷入困境, 15 只好投靠一個當地人。那人派他到田裡去放豬, 16 他餓到恨不得拿餵豬的豆莢充饑,可是連這些也沒有人給他。 17 最後,他醒悟過來,心想,『在我父親家裡,連僱工的口糧都綽綽有餘,我現在卻要在這裡餓死嗎? 18 我要動身回到我父親身邊,對他說,父親,我得罪了天,也得罪了你, 19 今後,我再也不配作你的兒子,請把我當作僱工看待吧。』 20 於是他動身回家。

「他父親遠遠地看見他,就動了慈心,跑上前去抱著他連連親吻。 21 小兒子說,『父親,我得罪了天,也得罪了你,今後,我再也不配作你的兒子。』

22 「父親卻對奴僕說,『趕快拿最好的袍子來給他穿上,給他戴上戒指,穿上鞋, 23 把那隻肥牛犢牽來宰了,讓我們一同歡宴慶祝! 24 因我這兒子是死而復活、失而復得的。』於是他們歡宴慶祝。

25 「那時,大兒子正在田間。當他回來還沒到門口,就聽見家裡傳出奏樂跳舞的聲音。 26 他叫來一個奴僕問個究竟。

27 「奴僕回答說,『你弟弟回來了!你父親因他無災無難地回來,特地宰了那隻肥牛犢。』 28 大兒子很生氣,不肯進去。父親就出來勸他。

29 「他對父親說,『你看,我伺候你這麼多年,從來沒有違背過你的命令,可是你沒有給過我一隻羊羔,讓我和朋友一同歡宴。 30 但你這個兒子在娼妓身上耗盡家財,一回來,你倒為他宰了肥牛犢!』

31 「父親對他說,『孩子啊!你一直在我身邊,我所有的一切都是你的。 32 可是你弟弟是死而復活、失而復得的,所以我們應該歡喜快樂。』」

善用錢財

16 耶穌又對門徒說:「某財主有個管家,有人控告這管家浪費主人的財物。 財主便把管家召來,對他說,『聽說你浪費我的財物,到底是怎麼回事?把帳目交代清楚,你不能再當管家了。』

「管家私下盤算,『主人要辭退我了,怎麼辦呢?鋤地我沒有力氣,討飯我又感到羞恥。 我知道該怎麼辦了!就算被辭退了,也會有人照應我。』 於是,他把欠他主人債的一個一個召來,問第一個,『你欠了我主人多少?』

「他回答說,『一百桶油。』

「管家說,『這是你的帳,快坐下,改成五十吧!』

「管家又問另一個,『你欠多少?』

「他回答說,『一百石麥子。』

「管家說,『這是你的帳,改成八十石吧。』

「主人誇獎這個不義的管家精明。因為今世的兒女在處理世事方面比光明的兒女更精明。

「我告訴你們,要善用今世[a]的錢財,廣結朋友。這樣,當錢財不管用時,他們會接你們到永遠的居所。

見微知著

10 「一個人在小事上忠心,在大事上也會忠心;在小事上靠不住,在大事上更靠不住。 11 如果你們不能忠心地處理今世的財富,誰會把真正的財富交託給你們呢? 12 如果你們不能忠心地處理別人的產業,誰會把你們名下的產業交給你們呢? 13 一個僕人不能服侍兩位主人,因為他不是恨這位、愛那位,就是重這位、輕那位。你們不能又事奉上帝,又崇拜金錢。」

警戒貪財的法利賽人

14 法利賽人向來貪財,他們一面聽一面嗤笑耶穌。 15 耶穌對他們說:「你們在人面前自以為義,但上帝能看透你們的心。因為世人所看重的東西在上帝看來卻是可憎的。 16 約翰還沒有來以前,律法書和先知書是你們的準則。他出來後,上帝國的福音開始廣傳,人人都在努力進上帝的國。 17 不過,就是天地都消失,律法的一點一劃也不會失效。 18 任何人休妻另娶,就是犯通姦罪,娶被休的女子也是犯通姦罪。」

財主和乞丐

19 耶穌又說:「有個財主天天衣著華麗,生活奢侈。 20 又有一個名叫拉撒路的乞丐身上長滿了膿瘡,被人放在財主家門口。 21 他渴望吃到財主桌上掉下來的食物殘渣,卻只有狗來舔他的瘡。

22 「後來,乞丐死了,天使帶他到亞伯拉罕身邊。財主也死了,被人埋葬了。 23 他在陰間受折磨,抬頭遠遠地看見亞伯拉罕和他身邊的拉撒路, 24 就喊著說,『我的先祖亞伯拉罕啊!求你可憐我,派拉撒路用指尖蘸點水來潤潤我的舌頭吧!我在這火中實在痛苦不堪。』

25 「亞伯拉罕說,『孩子啊!你要想想,你生前享福,而拉撒路受苦;如今他在這裡得到安慰,而你受折磨。 26 況且,在你我中間隔著一道深淵,這邊的人不能到你那邊去,你那邊的人也不能到這裡來。』

27 「財主說,『我的先祖啊,那麼求你派拉撒路去我父親家裡, 28 因為我有五個弟兄。讓拉撒路去警告他們,以免他們也來到這痛苦的地方。』

29 「但是亞伯拉罕卻說,『他們可以聽從摩西和眾先知的話呀!』

30 「財主回答說,『我的先祖亞伯拉罕啊!他們不會聽的。但如果有一個死而復活的人去警告他們,他們肯定會悔改!』

31 「亞伯拉罕說,『如果他們不聽從摩西和眾先知的話,即使一個人從死裡復活,他們也不會信服。』」

Footnotes

  1. 16·9 今世」希臘文是「不義」。

天堂的快乐

15 一次,许多税吏和有罪的人都聚集在耶稣身边听他讲道。 法利赛人和律法师便开始抱怨道∶“这个人欢迎罪人,并且和他们一起吃饭!”

因此耶稣给他们讲了这个比喻: “如果在你们当中有人有一百只羊,可一天丢了一只,他会不会把那九十九只羊丢在野地里,而去追踪那只丢失的羊,直到把它找回来为止呢? 找到羊后,他便会高兴地把它扛在自己的肩上, 回到家后,他会叫来他的朋友和邻居们,对他们说∶‘你们和我一起高兴吧,因为我找到了我那只迷失的羊羔!’ 实话告诉你们,同样,在天堂,对一个悔改的罪人的喜悦,会比对九十九个不需要悔改的正直人的喜悦还要大。

“假如一个女子有十个银币,如果她丢了一个,那么她会不会点起灯来,扫遍房子,仔细地寻找,直到找到那个银币为止呢? 她找到时,就会叫来她的邻居和朋友们,对他们说∶‘和我一起高兴吧,我找到了那块丢失的银币了!’ 10 我告诉你们,同样,上帝的天使也会为一个悔改的罪人而高兴的。”

两个儿子的故事

11 耶稣又说∶“从前,一个人有两个儿子, 12 一天,小儿子对父亲说∶‘父亲,把属于我的那份产业分给我吧。’父亲就把财产分给了两个儿子。 13 不久以后,小儿子带上他所有的东西,离家到一个遥远的国家去了。在那里,他过着放荡的生活,挥霍了他所有的金钱。 14 他花尽了所有的一切时,偏偏又赶上那个国家闹饥荒,此时,他一贫如洗。 15 于是他不得不去给那个国家的一个公民当雇工。那人打发他到地里去放猪。 16 他真恨不得用喂猪的豆荚来充饥,可是,连豆荚也没人给他。 17 这时,他开始省悟过来,说:我父亲手下有那么多雇工,每个人都有很多吃的东西,可我在这里都快饿死了! 18 我得动身,去见父亲,对他说∶‘父亲,我对上帝有罪,也对您有罪, 19 我不配再被称为您的儿子了,就让我做您的长工吧!’ 20 所以,他动身到他父亲那里去了。

小儿子回来了

“这个儿子离家还很远的时候,他的父亲便望见了他,他父亲心里充满了怜爱,跑到儿子面前,搂住儿子的脖子,不停地亲吻他。 21 儿子对他父亲说∶‘父亲,我对上帝有罪,对您也做了错事,所以,我不配再被称为您的儿子了。’ 22 但是,父亲却对他的仆人说∶‘你们快去拿来最好的衣裳给他穿上,把戒指给他戴上,拿鞋给他穿上, 23 再把那头养得最肥的小牛牵来宰了,让咱们庆贺一番, 24 因为,我的儿子死而复活、失而复得的!’听罢,大家便开始欢呼庆祝起来。

大儿子的不满

25 “当时,他的大儿子正在田里。他回来走近房子时,听见了音乐和跳舞的声音, 26 就叫过来一个仆人,问他这是怎么回事, 27 仆人对他说∶‘你弟弟回来了,你父亲宰了那头肥牛犊,因为你弟弟安然无恙的回来了。’ 28 大儿子听了,非常生气,不肯进屋去。他的父亲出来,劝他进去。 29 但是,他却对父亲说∶‘你看,这些年来,我一直伺候着您,从来没有违背过你!可您连一只山羊也没有给过我,让我与朋友们一起欢庆一番, 30 可是您这个儿子,把您的钱财都花在了妓女的身上,可他回来时,您却为他宰了那头肥牛犊!’ 31 父亲对他说∶‘我的儿啊,你总是和我在一起,我所有的一切都是你的。 32 可现在咱们应该高兴,应该庆祝,因为你弟弟死而复活,失而复得了!’”

真正的财富

16 耶稣对门徒们说∶“从前,某财主有一个管家,有人告这个管家的状,说他挥霍主人的钱财, 于是,那个财主就把管家叫来,问他∶‘我听说的是怎么一回事呢?把你经管的事情向我作一个交待,因为我不让你再当管家了。’ 管家心想∶‘我该怎么办呢?我的主人辞掉我管家的职务,可我又没有力气去锄地;也羞于去讨饭。 我知道我该怎么办了,那样当主人辞掉我管家的职务时,人们将把我接到他们家里去。’ 于是,他把债户一一叫来。他对第一个人说∶‘你欠我的主人多少呢?’那个人说: ‘一百桶橄榄油。’于是管家对他说‘这是你的账单,坐下来,赶快改写成五十桶。’ 然后,他又对另一个人欠债的人说∶‘你呢,你欠多少?’那个人说∶‘一百担麦子。’管家说∶‘这是你的账单,坐下来,改写八十担。’ 主人得知这件事后,把这个不诚实的管家夸奖了一番,因为他做事精明。是啊,这个世界的人们在处理他们自己的事务时,要比光明磊落的人们精明的多。

“我告诉你们吧,要用尘世的财富为你们自己广交朋友,所以,当钱财用尽的时候,你的朋友们就会把你接到永恒的家里去。 10 在小事上诚实的人,在大事上也会诚实;在小事上不诚实的人,在大事上也会不诚实。 11 如果你们在处理世间的财富上都得不到信赖,那么谁会把真正的财富托付给你们呢? 12 如果你们在处理属于别人的东西上得不到信赖,那么,谁又会把你们自己的东西给你们呢?

13 “你们不能同时服侍两个主人,你们会恨这个,爱那个;或者忠诚一个,轻视另一个,你们不可能同时既侍奉上帝、又侍奉金钱。”

上帝的律法不能更改

14 那些喜爱金钱的法利赛人听到这里,就讥笑耶稣。 15 耶稣便对他们说∶“你们这些人在人们面前装好人,但是,上帝知道你们的内心。因为,世人看重的事情对上帝却毫无价值。 16 律法和先知的著作直到约翰的到来都是有约束力的。自从约翰的到来,上帝的王国的福音得到了传播,很多人都拼命的想进去。 17 然而,天地的消逝比涂抹律法的一笔一划还要容易。

离婚和再婚

18 “任何男人与妻子离了婚,又另娶别的女人,他就犯了通奸罪;娶了离了婚的女人的男人也犯了通奸罪。

富人与拉撒路

19 “从前,有一个富人,每天穿着华丽的衣服,过着奢侈享乐的生活。 20 有一个名字叫拉撒路的穷人,他浑身生疮,常常躺在财主家的大门口。 21 他每天都盼望着用财主桌上掉下来的残羹剩饭充饥,甚至连狗都跑过来舔他的疮。 22 后来,这个可怜的人死了,天使把他抬到了亚伯拉罕的身边。然后,那个财主也死了,并被埋葬, 23 在地狱里他受着折磨,他抬头望去,看到了远处的亚伯拉罕,还看到了拉撒路站在他的身边。 24 财主便大喊道∶‘我父亚伯拉罕,可怜可怜我吧!请派拉撒路来吧,好让他用指头蘸点水,凉凉我的舌头吧,因为我在这火焰里痛苦不堪!’ 25 但是,亚伯拉罕说∶‘我的儿子,你要记住,你在生前,享受了一切美好的事物,而拉撒路却受尽了苦难。但是,现在他在这里舒舒服服的,而你却在痛苦之中。 26 不仅仅如此,而且我们和你们之间有一道深沟,所以,我这边想过去的人过不去,你们那边想过来的人也过不来。’ 27 财主说∶‘如果是这样的话,我乞求您,父亲,派拉撒路到我父亲家去, 28 因为我有五个兄弟,让拉撒路告诫他们,以便将来他们不会到这个受尽折磨的地方来。’ 29 但是,亚伯拉罕说∶‘他们有摩西的律法和先知的著作,让你的兄弟去听从它们的话吧。’ 30 那个财主又说∶‘不行啊,父亚伯拉罕,如果让死人到他们那里去,他们才会悔改。’ 31 亚伯拉罕对他说∶‘如果他们不听摩西和先知的教导,即使有人从死里复活,也不会使他们信服的。’”

The Parable of the Lost Sheep(A)

15 Now the tax collectors(B) and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”(C)

Then Jesus told them this parable:(D) “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?(E) And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’(F) I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.(G)

The Parable of the Lost Coin

“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’(H) 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”(I)

The Parable of the Lost Son

11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons.(J) 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’(K) So he divided his property(L) between them.

13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth(M) in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.(N) 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned(O) against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.(P)

21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.(Q) I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe(R) and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger(S) and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again;(T) he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.(U)

25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

28 “The older brother became angry(V) and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property(W) with prostitutes(X) comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”(Y)

The Parable of the Shrewd Manager

16 Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions.(Z) So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’

“The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg— I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’

“So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’

“‘Nine hundred gallons[b] of olive oil,’ he replied.

“The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’

“Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’

“‘A thousand bushels[c] of wheat,’ he replied.

“He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’

“The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world(AA) are more shrewd(AB) in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.(AC) I tell you, use worldly wealth(AD) to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.(AE)

10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much,(AF) and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth,(AG) who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?

13 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”(AH)

14 The Pharisees, who loved money,(AI) heard all this and were sneering at Jesus.(AJ) 15 He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves(AK) in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts.(AL) What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.

Additional Teachings

16 “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John.(AM) Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached,(AN) and everyone is forcing their way into it. 17 It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.(AO)

18 “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.(AP)

The Rich Man and Lazarus

19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.(AQ) 20 At his gate was laid a beggar(AR) named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table.(AS) Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham,(AT) have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’(AU)

25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things,(AV) but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.(AW) 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’

27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them,(AX) so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’

29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses(AY) and the Prophets;(AZ) let them listen to them.’

30 “‘No, father Abraham,’(BA) he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’

31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

Footnotes

  1. Luke 15:8 Greek ten drachmas, each worth about a day’s wages
  2. Luke 16:6 Or about 3,000 liters
  3. Luke 16:7 Or about 30 tons