17 As for the rich in (A)this present age, charge them (B)not to be haughty, nor (C)to set their hopes on (D)the uncertainty of riches, but on God, (E)who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, (F)to be rich in good works, to be generous and (G)ready to share, 19 thus (H)storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may (I)take hold of (J)that which is truly life.

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17 Command those who are rich(A) in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth,(B) which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God,(C) who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.(D) 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds,(E) and to be generous and willing to share.(F) 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves(G) as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of(H) the life that is truly life.

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The Rich Man and Lazarus

19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in (A)purple and fine linen and (B)who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate (C)was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who desired to be fed with (D)what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried by (E)the angels (F)to Abraham's side.[a] The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and in (G)Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and (H)saw Abraham far off and Lazarus (I)at his side. 24 And he called out, (J)‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and (K)cool my tongue, for (L)I am in anguish in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that (M)you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ 27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have (N)Moses and the Prophets; (O)let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, (P)father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear (Q)Moses and the Prophets, (R)neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 16:22 Greek bosom; also verse 23

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.(A) 20 At his gate was laid a beggar(B) named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table.(C) 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,(D) 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.’(E)

25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things,(F) but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.(G) 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,(H) so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’

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

30 “‘No, father Abraham,’(K) 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.’”

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Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

19 (A)“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where (B)moth and rust[a] destroy and where thieves (C)break in and steal, 20 (D)but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22 (E)“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 (F)but if (G)your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

24 (H)“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and (I)money.[b]

Do Not Be Anxious

25 (J)“Therefore I tell you, (K)do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 (L)Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. (M)Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his (N)span of life?[c] 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, (O)even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, (P)O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For (Q)the Gentiles seek after all these things, and (R)your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But (S)seek first (T)the kingdom of God and his righteousness, (U)and all these things will be added to you.

34 (V)“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 6:19 Or worm; also verse 20
  2. Matthew 6:24 Greek mammon, a Semitic word for money or possessions
  3. Matthew 6:27 Or a single cubit to his stature; a cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters

Treasures in Heaven(A)

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,(B) where moths and vermin destroy,(C) and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,(D) where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.(E) 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.(F)

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,[a] your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy,[b] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

24 “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.(G)

Do Not Worry(H)

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry(I) about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.(J) Are you not much more valuable than they?(K) 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[c]?(L)

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor(M) was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?(N) 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.(O) 33 But seek first his kingdom(P) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.(Q) 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 6:22 The Greek for healthy here implies generous.
  2. Matthew 6:23 The Greek for unhealthy here implies stingy.
  3. Matthew 6:27 Or single cubit to your height