1Meanwhile the people had gathered in thousands, so that they trod on one another, when Jesus, addressing himself to his disciples, began by saying to them, “Be on your guard against the leaven — that is, the hypocrisy — of the Pharisees.
2There is nothing, however covered up, which will not be uncovered, nor anything kept secret which will not become known.
3So all that you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear, within closed doors, will be proclaimed on the housetops.
4To you who are my friends I say, Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but after that can do no more.
5I will show you of whom you should be afraid. Be afraid of him who, after killing you, has the power to fling you into Gehenna. Yes, I say, be afraid of him.
6Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? Yet not one of them has escaped God's notice.
7No, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.
8Everyone, I tell you, who publicly acknowledges me, the Son of Man, also, will acknowledge before God's angels;
9but the person who publicly disowns me will be altogether disowned before God's angels.
10Everyone who will say anything against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but for the person who slanders the Holy Spirit there will be no forgiveness.
11Whenever they take you before the synagogue Courts or the magistrates or other authorities, do not be anxious as to how you will defend yourselves, or what your defense will be, or what you will say;
12for the Holy Spirit will show you at the moment what you ought to say.”
13“Teacher,” a man in the crowd said to Jesus, “tell my brother to share the property with me.”
14But Jesus said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or an arbiter between you?”
15And then he added, “Take care to keep yourselves free from every form of covetousness; for even in the height of their prosperity a person's true life does not depend on what they have.”
16Then Jesus told them this parable — “There was once a rich man whose land was very fertile;
17and he began to ask himself ‘What will I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?
18This is what I will do,’ he said; ‘I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and store all my grain and my goods in them;
19and I will say to myself, Now you have plenty of good things put by for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.’
20But God said to the man ‘Fool! This very night your life is being demanded; and as for all you have prepared — who will have it?’
21So it is with those who lay by wealth for themselves and are not rich to the glory of God.”
22And Jesus said to his disciples, “That is why I say to you, Do not be anxious about the life here — what you can get to eat; or about your body — what you can get to wear.
23For life is more than food, and the body than its clothes.
24Think of the ravens — they neither sow nor reap; they have neither storehouse nor barn; and yet God feeds them! And how much more precious are you than birds!
25But which of you, by being anxious, can prolong your life a moment?
26And, if you cannot do even the smallest thing, why be anxious about other things?
27Think of the lilies, and how they grow. They neither toil nor spin; yet, I tell you, even Solomon in all his splendor was not robed like one of these.
28If, even in the field, God so clothes the grass which is living today and tomorrow will be thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, you of little faith!
29And you — do not be always seeking what you can get to eat or what you can get to drink; and do not waver.
30These are the things for which all the nations of the world are seeking, and your Father knows that you need them.
31No, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added for you.
32So do not be afraid, my little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.
33“Sell what belongs to you, and give in charity. Make yourselves purses that will not wear out — an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near, or moth works ruin.
34For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.
35Make yourselves ready, with your lamps alight;
36and be like servants who are waiting for their Master's return from his wedding, so that, when he comes and knocks, they may open the door for him at once.
37Happy are those servants whom, on his return, the Master will find watching. I tell you that he will make himself ready, and have them take their places at the table, and will come and serve them.
38Whether it is late at night, or in the early morning that he comes, if he finds all as it should be, then happy are they.
39This you do know, that, had the owner of the house known at what time the thief was coming, he would have been on the watch, and would not have let his house be broken into.
40You must also prepare, for when you are least expecting him the Son of Man will come.”
41“Master,” said Peter, “are you telling this parable with reference to us or to everyone?”
42“Who, then,” replied the Master, “is that trustworthy steward, the careful man, who will be placed by his master over his establishment, to give them their rations at the proper time?
43Happy will that servant be whom his master, when he comes home, will find doing this.
44His master, I tell you, will put him in charge of the whole of his property.
45But should that servant say to himself ‘My master is a long time coming,’ and begin to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk,
Luke 12
Luke 12:1-45