The Parable of the Rich Fool

13 Someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher,(A) tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

14 “Friend,”[a] he said to him, “who appointed me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard(B) against all greed,(C) because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.”(D)

16 Then he told them a parable:(E) “A rich(F) man’s land was very productive. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What should I do, since I don’t have anywhere to store my crops? 18 I will do this,’ he said. ‘I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there. 19 Then I’ll say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy;(G) eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.”’(H)

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool!(I) This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’(J)

21 “That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure(K) for himself and is not rich toward God.”(L)

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Footnotes

  1. 12:14 Lit Man

The Parable of the Rich Landowner Who Was a Fool

13 Now someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me!” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Watch out and guard yourselves from all greediness, because not even when someone has an abundance does[a] his life consist of his possessions.” 16 And he told a parable to them, saying, “The land of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 And he reasoned to himself, saying, ‘What should I do? For I do not have anywhere I can gather in my crops.’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and I will gather in there all my grain and possessions. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many possessions stored up for many years. Relax, eat, drink, celebrate!”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your life[b] is demanded from you, and the things which you have prepared—whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who stores up treasure for himself, and who is not rich toward God!”

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 12:15 Literally “is”
  2. Luke 12:20 The same Greek word can be translated “soul” or “life” depending on the context