Luke 12:49-59

New Testament for Everyone

Reading the signs of the times

⁴⁹ “I came to throw fire upon the earth,” Jesus continued, “and I wish it were already alight! ⁵⁰ I have a baptism to be baptized with, and I am under huge pressure until it’s happened!

⁵¹ “Do you suppose I’ve come to give peace to the earth? No, let me tell you, but rather division. ⁵² From now on, you see, families will be split down the middle: three against two in a family of five, and two against three, ⁵³ 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.

⁵⁴ “When you see a cloud rising in the west,” he said to the crowds, “you say at once, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and rain it does. ⁵⁵ When you see the south wind getting up, you say, ‘It’s going to be very hot,’ and that’s what happens. ⁵⁶ You impostors! You know how to work out what the earth and the sky are telling you; why can’t you work out what’s going on at this very moment?

⁵⁷ “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what you ought to do? ⁵⁸ When you go with your accuser before a magistrate, do your best to reach a settlement with him. Otherwise he may drag you in front of the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the officer, and the officer will throw you into jail. ⁵⁹ Let me tell you, you won’t get out from there until you have paid the very last coin.”