Luke 16:19-31

New Testament for Everyone

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus

¹⁹ “There was once a rich man,” said Jesus, “who was dressed in purple and fine linen, and feasted in splendor every day. ²⁰ A poor man named Lazarus, who was covered with sores, lay outside his gate. ²¹ He longed to feed himself with the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

²² “In due course the poor man died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried. ²³ As he was being tormented in Hades, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom.

²⁴ “ ‘Father Abraham!’ he called out. ‘Have pity on me! Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue! I’m in agony in this fire!’

²⁵ “ ‘My child,’ replied Abraham, ‘remember that in your life you received good things, and in the same way Lazarus received evil. Now he is comforted here, and you are tormented. ²⁶ Besides that, there is a great chasm standing between us. People who want to cross over from here to you can’t do so, nor can anyone get across from the far side to us.’

²⁷ “ ‘Please, then, Father,’ he said, ‘send him to my father’s house. ²⁸ I’ve got five brothers. Let him tell them about it, so that they don’t come into this torture-chamber.’

²⁹ “ ‘They’ve got Moses and the prophets,’ replied Abraham. ‘Let them listen to them.’

³⁰ “ ‘No, Father Abraham,’ he replied, ‘but if someone went to them from the dead, they would repent!’

³¹ “ ‘If they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets,’ came the reply, ‘neither would they be convinced, even if someone rose from the dead.’ ”