Luke 12
Legacy Standard Bible
Fear Only God
12 At this time, after [a]so many thousands of the crowd had gathered together that they were trampling on one another, He began saying to His disciples first, “(A)Be on your guard for the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 (B)But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. 3 Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have [b]whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon (C)the housetops.
4 “But I say to you, (D)My friends, do not fear those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will show you whom to fear: (E)fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into [c](F)hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! 6 Are not (G)five sparrows sold for two [d]assaria? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 (H)Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.
Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit
8 “And I say to you, everyone who (I)confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God, 9 but (J)he who denies Me before men will be denied (K)before the angels of God. 10 (L)And everyone who [e]speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him, but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him. 11 Now when they bring you before (M)the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not (N)worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say, 12 for (O)the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
Parable of the Rich Fool
13 And someone from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” 14 But He said to him, “(P)Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 Then He said to them, “(Q)Watch out and be on your guard against every form of greed, for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” 16 And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive. 17 And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ 18 Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, (R)you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘(S)You fool! This very night [f](T)your soul is required of you; and (U)now who will own what you prepared?’ 21 So is the one who (V)stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Do Not Worry
22 And He said to His disciples, “(W)For this reason I say to you, [g]do not worry about your [h]life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the (X)ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor (Y)barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! 25 And which of you by worrying can add a single [i](Z)cubit to his [j]life span? 26 Therefore, if you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, but I tell you, not even (AA)Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? (AB)You of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not (AC)keep worrying. 30 For [k]all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek, but your Father knows that you need these things. 31 But seek His kingdom, and (AD)these things will be added to you. 32 (AE)Do not fear, (AF)little flock, for (AG)your Father is well pleased to give you the kingdom.
33 “(AH)Sell your possessions and give it as charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, (AI)an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34 For (AJ)where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Be Ready for His Coming
35 “(AK)Gird up (AL)your loins, and keep your lamps lit. 36 And be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find (AM)awake when he comes; truly I say to you, that (AN)he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them. 38 (AO)Whether he comes in the [l]second watch, or even in the [m]third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.
39 “(AP)But [n]be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be [o](AQ)broken into. 40 (AR)You too, be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not [p]expect.”
41 Now Peter said, “Lord, are You addressing this parable to us, or (AS)to everyone else as well?” 42 And (AT)the Lord said, “(AU)Who then is the faithful and prudent (AV)steward, whom his master will put in charge of his [q]servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that (AW)slave whom his [r]master finds so doing when he comes. 44 Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But if that slave says in his heart, ‘My master [s]will be a long time in coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers. 47 And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will (AX)receive many beatings, 48 but the one who did not (AY)know it, and committed deeds worthy of a beating, will receive but a few. (AZ)From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.
Not Peace, but Division
49 “I [t]have come to cast fire upon the earth, and [u]how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a (BA)baptism to [v]undergo, and how distressed I am until it is finished! 51 (BB)Do you think that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; 52 for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, (BC)father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
54 And He was also saying to the crowds, “(BD)When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming,’ and so it happens. 55 And when you see a south wind blowing, you say, ‘It will be a (BE)hot day,’ and it happens. 56 You hypocrites! (BF)You know how to examine the appearance of the earth and the sky, but [w]why do you not examine this present time?
57 “And (BG)why do you not even judge for yourselves what is right? 58 For (BH)while you are going with your opponent to appear before the magistrate, on your way there make an effort to [x]settle with him, so that he may not drag you before the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. 59 I say to you, you will not get out of there until you have paid the last [y](BI)lepton.”
Footnotes
- Luke 12:1 Lit myriads
- Luke 12:3 Lit spoken in the ear
- Luke 12:5 Gr Gehenna
- Luke 12:6 A Roman copper coin, approx. 1/16 of a laborer’s daily wage
- Luke 12:10 Lit will speak
- Luke 12:20 Lit they are demanding your soul from you
- Luke 12:22 Or stop being worried
- Luke 12:22 Lit soul
- Luke 12:25 A cubit was approx. 18 in. or 45 cm
- Luke 12:25 Or height
- Luke 12:30 Or these things all the nations of the world
- Luke 12:38 9 p.m. to midnight
- Luke 12:38 Midnight to 3 a.m.
- Luke 12:39 Lit know
- Luke 12:39 Lit dug through
- Luke 12:40 Lit think
- Luke 12:42 Lit service
- Luke 12:43 Or lord
- Luke 12:45 Lit is delaying to come
- Luke 12:49 Or came
- Luke 12:49 Lit what do I wish if...?
- Luke 12:50 Lit be baptized with
- Luke 12:56 Lit how
- Luke 12:58 Lit be released from him
- Luke 12:59 Smallest Greek copper coin, approx. 1/128 of a laborer’s daily wage
Luke 12
New Living Translation
A Warning against Hypocrisy
12 Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy. 2 The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. 3 Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!
4 “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. 5 But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell.[a] Yes, he’s the one to fear.
6 “What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins[b]? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. 7 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
8 “I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man[c] will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels. 9 But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels. 10 Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
11 “And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.”
Parable of the Rich Fool
13 Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.”
14 Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” 15 Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”
16 Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ 18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’
21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
Teaching about Money and Possessions
22 Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. 23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. 24 Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! 25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 26 And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?
27 “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
29 “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. 30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. 31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.
32 “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.
33 “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. 34 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Be Ready for the Lord’s Coming
35 “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. 37 The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! 38 He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn.[d] But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.
39 “Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”
41 Peter asked, “Lord, is that illustration just for us or for everyone?”
42 And the Lord replied, “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. 43 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. 44 I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. 45 But what if the servant thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? 46 The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful.
47 “And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. 48 But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.
Jesus Causes Division
49 “I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning! 50 I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished. 51 Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other! 52 From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against—or two in favor and three against.
53 ‘Father will be divided against son
and son against father;
mother against daughter
and daughter against mother;
and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law
and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’[e]”
54 Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said, “When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, ‘Here comes a shower.’ And you are right. 55 When the south wind blows, you say, ‘Today will be a scorcher.’ And it is. 56 You fools! You know how to interpret the weather signs of the earth and sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the present times.
57 “Why can’t you decide for yourselves what is right? 58 When you are on the way to court with your accuser, try to settle the matter before you get there. Otherwise, your accuser may drag you before the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, who will throw you into prison. 59 And if that happens, you won’t be free again until you have paid the very last penny.[f]”
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Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
