²⁴ And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is ^[a]for those ^(A)who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!

Rich Oppressors Will Be Judged

5 Come now, you ^(A)rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! ² Your ^(B)riches ^[a]are corrupted, and ^(C)your garments are moth-eaten. ³ Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. ^(D)You have heaped up treasure in the last days.

Instructions to the Rich

¹⁷ Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain ^(A)riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things ^(B)to enjoy.

¹⁷ Because you say, ^(A)‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—

The Law, the Prophets, and the Kingdom

¹⁴ Now the Pharisees, ^(A)who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they ^[a]derided Him.

¹⁶ Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. ¹⁷ And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ ¹⁸ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. ¹⁹ And I will say to my soul, ^(A)“Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; ^(B)eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ ²⁰ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night ^(C)your soul will be required of you; ^(D)then whose will those things be which you have provided?’

²¹ “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, ^(E)and is not rich toward God.”

The Test of Knowing Christ

2 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, ^(A)we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.