Luke 12:54-13:9
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Interpreting the Time
54 He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain,’ and so it happens.(A) 55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens.(B) 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?(C)
Settling with Your Opponent
57 “And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? 58 Thus when you go with your accuser before a magistrate, on the way make an effort to reach a settlement,[a] or you may be dragged before the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer throw you in prison.(D) 59 I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny.”(E)
Repent or Perish
13 At that very time there were some present who told Jesus[b] about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.(F) 2 He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans?(G) 3 No, I tell you, but unless you repent you will all perish as they did. 4 Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the other people living in Jerusalem?(H) 5 No, I tell you, but unless you repent you will all perish just as they did.”
The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it and found none.(I) 7 So he said to the man working the vineyard, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’(J) 8 He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, well and good, but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.