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

Do Not Worry

22 He 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 clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!(A) 25 And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to your span of life?[a](B) 26 If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,[b] yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.(C) 28 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, you of little faith! 29 And do not keep seeking what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. 30 For it is the nations[c] of the world that seek all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.(D) 31 Instead, seek his[d] kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.(E)

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Footnotes

  1. 12.25 Or add a cubit to your stature
  2. 12.27 Other ancient authorities read Consider the lilies: they neither spin nor weave
  3. 12.30 Or gentiles
  4. 12.31 Other ancient authorities read God’s