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

Greed Denounced

13 Now someone [a]in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” 14 But He said to him, [b](A)You there—who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over the two of you?” 15 But He said to them, (B)Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one is affluent 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 thinking to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and I will store all my grain and my goods there. 19 And I will say to [c]myself, “(C)You have many goods stored up for many years to come; relax, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself!”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘(D)You fool! This very night [d](E)your soul is demanded of you; and (F)as for all that you have prepared, who will own it now?’ 21 Such is the one who (G)stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich in relation to God.”

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 12:13 Lit from
  2. Luke 12:14 Lit Man, who
  3. Luke 12:19 Lit my soul, “Soul, you have...”
  4. Luke 12:20 Lit they are demanding your soul from you