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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) 33 Sell your possessions and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.(F) 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.(G)

Watchful Slaves

35 “Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit;(H) 36 be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them.(I) 38 If he comes during the middle of the night or near dawn and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.

39 “But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he[e] would not have let his house be broken into.(J) 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”(K)

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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
  5. 12.39 Other ancient authorities add would have watched and

Do Not Worry(A)

22 Then Jesus 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 clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them.(B) And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life[a]? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor(C) was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!(D) 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father(E) knows that you need them.(F) 31 But seek his kingdom,(G) and these things will be given to you as well.(H)

32 “Do not be afraid,(I) little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.(J) 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor.(K) Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven(L) that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.(M) 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.(N)

Watchfulness(O)(P)

35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes.(Q) Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.(R) 38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. 39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief(S) was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready,(T) because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 12:25 Or single cubit to your height