Luke 16:19-30

Expanded Bible

The Rich Man and Lazarus

¹⁹ Jesus said, “There was a rich man who always dressed in ·the finest clothes [^Lpurple and fine linen] and ·lived in luxury [or feasted sumptuously] every day. ²⁰ And a very poor man named Lazarus, whose body was covered with sores, was laid at the rich man’s gate. ²¹ He ·wanted [longed] to eat ·only the small pieces of food that fell [^Lwhat fell] from the rich man’s table. ·And [Even] the dogs would come and lick his sores [^Cdogs were viewed as despicable scavengers, not household pets]. ²² ·Later [^LNow it happened that], Lazarus died, and the angels carried him to ·the arms of Abraham [^LAbraham’s side/^Tbosom; ^Cthe imagery of a banquet, with Abraham as host and Lazarus as honored guest]. The rich man died, too, and was buried. ²³ In ·the place of the dead [^LHades], he was in ·much pain [torment]. ·Looking up [^LLifting up his eyes,], the rich man saw Abraham far away with Lazarus ·at his side [^Tin his bosom]. ²⁴ He called, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me! Send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am ·suffering [in agony] in this fire [Is. 66:24]!’ ²⁵ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember when you were alive you had the good things in life, but bad things happened to Lazarus. Now he is comforted here, and you are ·suffering [in agony]. ²⁶ Besides [^Lall this], there is a ·big pit [great gulf/chasm set in place] between you and us, so no one can cross over to you, and no one can leave there and come ·here [^Lto us].’ ²⁷ The rich man said, ‘Father, then ·please [I ask/beg you to] send Lazarus to my father’s house. ²⁸ [^LFor] I have five brothers, and Lazarus could warn them so that they will not come to this place of ·pain [torment].’ ²⁹ But Abraham said, ‘They have ·the law of Moses and the writings of the prophets [^LMoses and the prophets]; let them ·learn from [listen to] them.’ ³⁰ The rich man said, ‘No, father Abraham! [^LBut] If someone goes to them from the dead, they would ·believe and change their hearts and lives [^Lrepent].’