Luke 16:15-26

¹⁵He said to them, “You justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts. That which is exalted among men is detestable in the sight of God.

¹⁶The law and the prophets were in effect until John came. From that time on, the gospel of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone tries to force their way into it.

¹⁷But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter of the law to become invalid.

¹⁸Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries one who is divorced from her husband commits adultery.

¹⁹Now there was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and was enjoying every day his great wealth.

²⁰A certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores,

²¹and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

²²It came about that the beggar died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried,

²³and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus at his side.

²⁴So he cried out and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.'

²⁵But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things. But now he is comforted here, and you are in agony.

²⁶Besides all this, a great chasm has been put in place, so that those who want to cross over from here to you cannot, and no one can cross over from there to us.'