The Cure for Anxiety

22 Then he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you,(A) don’t worry about your life, what you will eat; or about the body, what you will wear.(B) 23 For life is more than food and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens:(C) They don’t sow or reap; they don’t have a storeroom or a barn; yet God feeds them.(D) Aren’t you worth much more than the birds? 25 Can any of you add one moment to his life span[a] by worrying?(E) 26 If then you’re not able to do even a little thing, why worry about the rest?

27 “Consider how the wildflowers grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon(F) in all his splendor was adorned like one of these. 28 If that’s how God clothes the grass, which is in the field today and is thrown into the furnace tomorrow, how much more will he do for you—you of little faith?(G) 29 Don’t strive for what you should eat and what you should drink, and don’t be anxious. 30 For the Gentile world eagerly seeks(H) all these things, and your Father(I) knows that you need them.

31 “But seek his kingdom,(J) and these things will be provided for you.(K) 32 Don’t be afraid,(L) little flock,(M) because your Father delights(N) to give you the kingdom.(O)

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Footnotes

  1. 12:25 Or add a cubit to his height

22 And He said to His disciples, (A)For this reason I tell you, [a]do not worry about your [b]life, as to what you are to eat; nor for your body, as to what you are to wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. 24 Consider the (B)ravens, that they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor (C)barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! 25 And which of you by worrying can add a [c](D)day to his [d]life’s span? 26 Therefore if you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about the other things? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither labor nor [e]spin; but I tell you, not even (E)Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 28 Now if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? (F)You of little faith! 29 And do not [f]seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not (G)keep worrying. 30 For [g]all these things are what the nations of the world [h]eagerly seek; and your Father knows that you need these things. 31 But [i]seek His kingdom, and (H)these things will be [j]provided to you. 32 [k](I)Do not be afraid, (J)little flock, because (K)your Father has chosen to give you the kingdom.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 12:22 Or stop being worried
  2. Luke 12:22 Lit soul
  3. Luke 12:25 Lit cubit (about 18 in. or 45 cm)
  4. Luke 12:25 Or height
  5. Luke 12:27 I.e., spin thread for cloth
  6. Luke 12:29 Or keep seeking
  7. Luke 12:30 Or these things all the nations of the world
  8. Luke 12:30 Or wish for
  9. Luke 12:31 Or continually seek
  10. Luke 12:31 Or added to
  11. Luke 12:32 Or Stop being afraid