警戒門徒

12 這時,成千上萬的人聚集在一起,甚至互相踐踏。耶穌先對門徒說:「你們要提防法利賽人的酵,就是他們的偽善。 掩蓋的事終會暴露出來,隱藏的秘密終會被人知道。 你們在暗處說的,將在明處被人聽見;你們在密室裡的私語,將在屋頂上被人宣揚。

「朋友們,我告訴你們,不要懼怕那些殺害人的身體後再也無計可施的人。 我告訴你們應該懼怕誰,要懼怕上帝——祂有權終結人的生命,並把人丟在地獄裡。是的,我告訴你們,要懼怕祂!

「五隻麻雀不是只賣兩個銅錢嗎?但上帝連一隻麻雀也不會遺忘。 其實就連你們的頭髮都被數過了。不要害怕,你們比許多麻雀要貴重!

「我告訴你們,凡在人面前承認我的,人子在上帝的天使面前也必承認他。 凡在人面前否認我的,人子在上帝的天使面前也要否認他。 10 說話得罪人子的,還可以得到赦免,但褻瀆聖靈的,必得不到赦免! 11 當人押你們到會堂,或到官員和當權者面前時,不要顧慮如何辯解,或說什麼話, 12 因為到時候聖靈必指示你們當說的話。」

無知富翁的比喻

13 這時,人群中有人對耶穌說:「老師,請你勸勸我的兄長跟我分家產吧。」

14 耶穌答道:「朋友,誰派我作你們的審判官或仲裁,為你們分家產呢?」 15 接著,祂對眾人說:「你們要小心防範一切的貪心,因為人的生命並不在於家道富足。」

16 耶穌又講了一個比喻,說:「有一個富翁,他的田裡大豐收, 17 於是心裡盤算,『我儲藏農產的地方不夠了,怎麼辦呢?』 18 於是他說,『不如把原有的倉庫拆掉,建幾座更大的,好儲藏我所有的糧食和財物! 19 那時,我就可以對自己說,「你積存這麼多財產,一生享用不盡,現在大可高枕無憂、盡情地吃喝玩樂吧!」』 20 但上帝對他說,『無知的人啊!今晚就要取走你的命!你所預備的一切留給誰享用呢?』」

21 耶穌說:「這就是那些只顧為自己積財、在上帝面前卻不富足之人的寫照。」

不要為衣食憂慮

22 耶穌繼續對門徒說:「所以,我告訴你們,不要為生活憂慮,如吃什麼,也不要為身體憂慮,如穿什麼。 23 因為生命比飲食重要,身體比穿著重要。 24 你們看,烏鴉不種也不收,沒倉也沒庫,上帝尚且養活牠們,你們比飛鳥不知要貴重多少!

25 「你們誰能用憂慮使自己多活片刻呢? 26 既然你們連這樣的小事都無能為力,又何必為其餘的事憂慮呢? 27 看看百合花如何生長吧,它們既不勞苦,也不紡織,但我告訴你們,就連所羅門王最顯赫時的穿戴還不如一朵百合花!

28 「野地的草今天還在,明天就要被丟在爐中,上帝還這樣裝扮它們,何況你們呢?你們的信心太小了! 29 你們不要為吃什麼喝什麼憂慮, 30 因為這些都是外族人的追求,你們的天父知道你們需要這些。 31 你們要尋求祂的國,祂必供給你們的需要。

32 「你們這一小群人啊,不要怕!因為你們的天父樂意把祂的國賜給你們。 33 要變賣你們的家產去賙濟窮人,要為自己預備永不破損的錢袋,在天上積攢取之不盡的財寶,那裡沒有賊偷,也沒有蟲蛀。 34 因為你們的財寶在哪裡,你們的心也在哪裡。

警醒預備

35 「你們要束上腰帶,準備服侍,要點亮燈, 36 像奴僕們等候主人從婚宴回來。主人回來一叩門,奴僕就可以立即給他開門。 37 主人回來,看見奴僕警醒等候,奴僕就有福了!我實在告訴你們,主人必束上腰帶請他們坐席,並親自服侍他們。 38 無論主人在深夜或黎明回家,若發現奴僕警醒等候,奴僕就有福了。

39 「你們都知道,一家的主人若預先知道賊什麼時候來,一定不會讓賊入屋偷竊。 40 同樣,你們也要做好準備,因為在你們意想不到的時候,人子就來了。」

忠僕和惡僕

41 彼得問:「主啊!你這比喻是講給我們聽的,還是講給眾人聽的呢?」

42 主說:「誰是那個受主人委託管理家中大小僕役、按時分糧食給他們、又忠心又精明的管家呢? 43 主人回家時,看見他盡忠職守,他就有福了。 44 我實在告訴你們,主人一定會把所有產業都交給他管理。 45 但如果他以為主人不會那麼快回來,就毆打僕婢、吃喝醉酒, 46 主人會在他想不到的日子、不知道的時辰回來,嚴厲地懲罰[a]他,使他和不忠不信的人同受嚴刑。 47 明知主人的意思卻不準備,也不遵行主人吩咐的僕人,必受更重的責打。 48 但因不知道而做了該受懲罰之事的僕人,必少受責打。多給誰,就向誰多取;多託付誰,就向誰多要。

家庭分裂

49 「我來是要把火丟在地上,我多麼希望這火已經燃燒起來。 50 我有要受的『洗禮』,我何等迫切地想完成這『洗禮』啊! 51 你們以為我來是要使天下太平嗎?不,我告訴你們,我來是要使地上起紛爭。 52 從今以後,一家五口會彼此相爭,三個人反對兩個人,或是兩個人反對三個人, 53 父子相爭,母女對立,婆媳反目。」

明辨是非

54 然後,祂又對眾人說:「你們看見雲從西方升起,就說,『快下雨了!』果然如此。 55 南風一起,你們就說,『天必燥熱』,你們也說對了。 56 你們這些偽善的人!既然知道觀察天色、預測天氣,為什麼不知道觀察這個世代呢? 57 你們為什麼不自己明辨是非呢? 58 如果你和控告你的人要去對簿公堂,要盡量在路上跟對方和解,以免被拉到審判官面前,審判官派差役把你關進監牢。 59 我告訴你,除非你付清所欠的每一分錢,否則休想出監牢。」

Footnotes

  1. 12·46 嚴厲地懲罰」或作「腰斬」。

Beware of Hypocrisy(A)

12 In (B)the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, (C)“Beware of the [a]leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. (D)For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.

Jesus Teaches the Fear of God(E)

(F)“And I say to you, (G)My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, (H)fear Him!

“Are not five sparrows sold for two [b]copper coins? And (I)not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Confess Christ Before Men(J)

(K)“Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me (L)before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. But he who (M)denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.

10 “And (N)anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.

11 (O)“Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will (P)teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

The Parable of the Rich Fool

13 Then one from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

14 But He said to him, (Q)“Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” 15 And He said to them, (R)“Take heed and beware of [c]covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

16 Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17 And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ 18 So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, (S)“Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; (T)eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night (U)your soul will be required of you; (V)then whose will those things be which you have provided?’

21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, (W)and is not rich toward God.”

Do Not Worry(X)

22 Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, (Y)do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. 23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and (Z)God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? 25 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 26 If you then are not able to do the least, why [d]are you anxious for the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even (AA)Solomon in all his glory was not [e]arrayed like one of these. 28 If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of (AB)little faith?

29 “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. 30 For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father (AC)knows that you need these things. 31 (AD)But seek [f]the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

32 “Do not fear, little flock, for (AE)it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 (AF)Sell what you have and give (AG)alms; (AH)provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The Faithful Servant and the Evil Servant(AI)

35 (AJ)“Let your waist be girded and (AK)your lamps burning; 36 and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. 37 (AL)Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. 38 And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. 39 (AM)But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would [g]have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 40 (AN)Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

41 Then Peter said to Him, “Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?

42 And the Lord said, (AO)“Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food [h]in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 (AP)Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. 45 (AQ)But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a (AR)day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 47 And (AS)that servant who (AT)knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 (AU)But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

Christ Brings Division(AV)

49 (AW)“I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But (AX)I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is (AY)accomplished! 51 (AZ)Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, (BA)but rather division. 52 (BB)For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. 53 (BC)Father will be divided 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 her mother-in-law.”

Discern the Time(BD)

54 Then He also said to the multitudes, (BE)“Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it is. 55 And when you see the (BF)south wind blow, you say, ‘There will be hot weather’; and there is. 56 Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern (BG)this time?

Make Peace with Your Adversary

57 “Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right? 58 (BH)When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort (BI)along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. 59 I tell you, you shall not depart from there till you have paid the very last mite.”

Footnotes

  1. Luke 12:1 yeast
  2. Luke 12:6 Gr. assarion, a coin worth about 1⁄16 of a denarius
  3. Luke 12:15 NU all covetousness
  4. Luke 12:26 do you worry
  5. Luke 12:27 clothed
  6. Luke 12:31 NU His kingdom, and these things
  7. Luke 12:39 NU not have allowed
  8. Luke 12:42 at the right time

Advarsel mod hykleri(A)

12 I mellemtiden stimlede tusindvis af mennesker sammen omkring Jesus, så de nærmest trådte på hinanden. Jesus talte til folkeskaren, men tænkte især på disciplene: „Pas på! Hold jer fra farisæernes surdej, hykleriet. Hvad der er skjult nu, vil blive åbenbaret engang. Det, som nu er hemmeligt, vil blive kendt. Hvad I har sagt i mørket, vil komme frem i lyset, og hvad I har hvisket bag lukkede døre, vil blive udråbt offentligt.

At have tillid til Gud(B)

Jeg siger jer, mine venner: Vær ikke bange for dem, som nok kan slå jer ihjel rent fysisk, men ikke har magt over, hvad der sker med jer bagefter. Lad mig fortælle jer, hvem I skal frygte: Frygt ham, der efter at I er slået ihjel, har magt til at kaste i Helvede. Ja, ham skal I frygte.

Hvad koster fem spurve? Nogle få mønter måske. Men ikke én af dem er glemt hos Gud. Selv hårene på jeres hoved har Gud tal på. Så vær ikke bange. I er mere værd end mange spurve.

At vedkende sig Jesus(C)

Det siger jeg jer: Dem, der åbent og offentligt vedkender sig Menneskesønnen, vil jeg også åbent vedkende mig over for Guds engle. Men dem, der offentligt nægter at kendes ved mig, vil jeg heller ikke kendes ved over for Guds engle. 10 De, der taler negativt om Menneskesønnen, kan godt blive tilgivet, men de, der håner Helligånden, afskærer sig selv fra tilgivelse.

11 Når I bliver stillet for retten i synagogerne eller skal forsvare jer over for myndigheder og øvrighedspersoner, skal I ikke bekymre jer om, hvad I skal sige til jeres forsvar, 12 for Helligånden vil på sådanne tidspunkter inspirere jer til, hvad I skal sige.”

Verdens eller Guds rigdom?

13 En mand fra mængden råbte: „Mester, sig til min bror, at han skal dele min fars arv med mig!”

14 Jesus svarede: „Gud har ikke sendt mig for at være dommer i jeres retssager.” 15 Så tilføjede han henvendt til de omkringstående: „Vogt jer for al slags pengebegær, for økonomisk velstand kan ikke skænke jer livet.”

16 Derpå fortalte Jesus en historie: „En rig mand havde en gård, hvis marker havde givet en rekordstor høst. 17 Han spekulerede derfor på, hvad han skulle gøre, for han havde ikke plads til den enorme høst. 18 Til sidst sagde han til sig selv: ‚Jeg vil rive mine lader ned og bygge nogle endnu større, så jeg kan få det hele under tag. 19 Derefter vil jeg tage den med ro og sige til mig selv: Nu har du samlet nok til mange år, og det er på tide, du nyder livet. Spis, drik og vær glad!’ 20 Men Gud sagde til ham: ‚Du er en tåbe! I nat skal du dø! Hvem skal så have alt det, du har skrabet sammen?’

21 Sådan går det den, der kun tænker på at samle sig rigdomme på jorden i stedet for at tjene Gud.”

Om at stole på Gud(D)

22 Jesus fortsatte, nu henvendt til sine disciple: „Det er grunden til, at jeg siger, at I ikke skal bekymre jer for, om I nu også har mad at spise og tøj at tage på. 23 Livet er jo mere end maden og tøjet. 24 Se på ravnene. De hverken sår eller høster, og de samler ikke forråd, men alligevel giver Gud dem, hvad de har brug for. Er I ikke meget mere værd end fuglene? 25 Hvad hjælper det at bekymre sig? Kan I derved lægge bare én dag til jeres liv? 26 Hvis altså uro og ængstelse ikke kan ændre noget, hvorfor så i det hele taget gøre sig bekymringer?

27 Se på liljerne, hvordan de vokser uden at gøre sig anstrengelser. De hverken spinder eller væver. Men det siger jeg jer: Ikke engang Salomon i al sin kongepragt var klædt så smukt som dem. 28 Når Gud nu sørger for blomsterne, der folder sig ud i dag og visner i morgen, skulle han så ikke sørge for jer? Hvor er jeres tro dog lille! 29-30 I skal ikke være så optaget af, hvad I skal spise og drikke. Det går folk ude i verden højt op i, men I skal ikke bekymre jer om sådan noget, for jeres Far i Himlen ved, at I har brug for det. 31 Nej, søg først Guds rige, så skal I få alt det andet i tilgift.

32 Vær ikke bange, du lille flok, for jeres Far har besluttet at give jer del i sit Rige. 33 Sælg hvad I har og giv pengene til dem, der er i nød. Skaf jer punge, der aldrig bliver slidt op, og rigdomme i Himlen, der aldrig mister deres værdi, for dér bliver der hverken stjålet eller ødelagt noget. 34 Hvor jeres rigdomme er, vil også jeres tanker være.

Vær altid parat(E)

35-36 Vær altid parate og hold lamperne tændt som tjenere, der venter på, at deres herre skal komme hjem efter en bryllupsfest, så de kan lukke op for ham, lige så snart han banker på døren. 37 Velsignede er de, som han således finder parate, når han kommer tilbage. Det siger jeg jer: Han vil tage et forklæde på og få dem til at sætte sig til bords for selv at varte dem op. 38 Måske kommer han ikke før midnat, måske først i de tidlige morgentimer. Men i alle tilfælde bliver de tjenere velsignet, som står parate til at tage imod ham.

39 Hvis en husejer var klar over, hvornår der ville komme en tyv, ville han holde vagt for at forhindre et indbrud. 40 Sådan skal I være parate, for Menneskesønnen kommer på et tidspunkt, I ikke regner med.”

41 Peter spurgte: „Er det med henblik på os, du fortæller den historie, eller gælder det alle?”

42 Jesus svarede: „En klog og god forvalter passer sin herres ejendom godt og sørger for, at alle de øvrige tjenere får noget at spise til rette tid. 43 Lykkelig den forvalter, som trofast er i gang med at udføre sit arbejde, når hans herre vender tilbage. 44 Det siger jeg jer: Hans herre vil give ham ansvaret for alt, hvad han ejer.

45 Men hvis forvalteren tænker: ‚Det varer nok længe, inden min herre viser sig’, kan han give sig til at mishandle alle tjenestefolkene, alt imens han selv fester og drikker. 46 Når så hans herre kommer på et uventet tidspunkt, bliver forvalteren hårdt straffet og kommer til at dele skæbne med de vantro. 47 Når han bliver straffet så hårdt, er det fordi, han var blevet bedt om at holde sig parat, og han udmærket vidste, hvad hans herre havde befalet ham at gøre. Alligevel gjorde han det ikke.

48 Men de, der ikke kender deres herres vilje og gør sig skyldige i noget, de fortjener straf for, vil få en mildere straf, for man forlanger mest af dem, der har fået mest betroet.

Nogle vil tage imod Jesus, andre vil blive hans fjender(F)

49 Jeg er kommet for at sætte verden i brand, og hvor ville jeg ønske, at ilden allerede havde fænget! 50 Men jeg skal igennem en lidelsens dåb, og indtil det er overstået, gruer jeg for det.

51 Tro ikke, at fordi jeg er kommet til denne jord, vil der være fred og ingen fare. Nej, der vil blive splid blandt mennesker. 52 Fra nu af vil fem personer i samme familie være indbyrdes uenige, tre mod to og to mod tre. 53 En far og en søn vil blive uenige, og ligeledes en mor og en datter, en svigermor og svigerdatter.”

Om at forstå tidens tegn(G)

54 Derpå sagde Jesus henvendt til folkeskaren omkring ham: „Når I ser skyerne trække sammen i vest, siger I straks: ‚Nu bliver det regn.’ Det har I ret i. 55 Og når vinden kommer fra syd, siger I: ‚Det bliver varmt i dag.’ Det har I også ret i. 56 Alligevel bedrager I jer selv. I kan tyde jordens og himlens tegn. Hvorfor kan I så ikke tyde tidens tegn?”

Om at få sin sag bragt i orden, inden det er for sent(H)

57 Til sidst sagde Jesus: „Hvorfor kan I ikke selv bedømme, hvad der er det rigtige? 58 Er der nogen, som anklager dig for ikke at have betalt din gæld, så gør, hvad du kan, for at få sagen bragt i orden, inden det er for sent. Ellers ender sagen hos dommeren, som vil overgive dig til retsbetjenten, og retsbetjenten vil sætte dig i fængsel. 59 Det siger jeg dig: Du slipper aldrig ud derfra, medmindre din gæld bliver betalt fuldt ud!”

Warnings and Encouragements(A)

12 Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be[a] on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.(B) There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.(C) What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

“I tell you, my friends,(D) do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.(E) Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.(F) Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.(G)

“I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God.(H) But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned(I) before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man(J) will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.(K)

11 “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say,(L) 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”(M)

The Parable of the Rich Fool

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”(N)

16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool!(O) This very night your life will be demanded from you.(P) Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’(Q)

21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”(R)

Do Not Worry(S)

22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them.(T) And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life[b]? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor(U) was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!(V) 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father(W) knows that you need them.(X) 31 But seek his kingdom,(Y) and these things will be given to you as well.(Z)

32 “Do not be afraid,(AA) little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.(AB) 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor.(AC) Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven(AD) that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.(AE) 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.(AF)

Watchfulness(AG)(AH)

35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes.(AI) Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.(AJ) 38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. 39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief(AK) was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready,(AL) because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

41 Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?”

42 The Lord(AM) answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? 43 It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. 44 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. 46 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of.(AN) He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

47 “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows.(AO) 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows.(AP) From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Not Peace but Division(AQ)

49 “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism(AR) to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed!(AS) 51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. 52 From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, 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.”(AT)

Interpreting the Times

54 He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does.(AU) 55 And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. 56 Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?(AV)

57 “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? 58 As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled on the way, or your adversary may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.(AW) 59 I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.”(AX)

Footnotes

  1. Luke 12:1 Or speak to his disciples, saying: “First of all, be
  2. Luke 12:25 Or single cubit to your height