Luke 12
1 During which time the myriads of the multitude having gathered together so as to trample each other, he began first to say to his disciples, Take heed to yourselves from the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
While they were doing that, many thousands of people gathered [around Jesus]. There were so many that they were stepping on each other. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Beware of [becoming] hypocrites [like] the Pharisees. Their [evil influence] [MET] [spreads to others like] yeast [spreads its influence in dough].
2 But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.
People will not be able to continue concealing the things that [they or other] people try to conceal now. [God] will [some day] cause the things that are hidden now to be known {[everyone] to know the things that they hide now}.
3 Therefore, as many things as ye have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what ye have spoken in the ear in the inner chambers will be proclaimed upon the housetops.
All the things that you say in the dark [secretly, some day] will be heard {people will hear them} in the daylight. The things you have whispered [SYN] privately among yourselves in your rooms will be proclaimed {[people] will proclaim them} publicly.”
4 And I say to you my friends, Be not afraid of those who kill the body, and after these things not having anything more severe to do.
“My friends, listen [carefully]. Do not be afraid of people who [are able to] kill you, but after they kill you, there is nothing more that they can do [to hurt you].
5 But I will show you whom ye should fear. Fear him, who, after killing, has power to cast into hell. Yes, I say to you, fear ye him. (Geenna g1067)
But I will warn you about the one that you should truly be afraid of. You should be afraid of [God], because he not only has [the power to] cause people to die, he has the power to throw them into hell afterward! Yes, he is truly the one that you should be afraid of! (Geenna g1067)
6 Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God.
[Think about] the sparrows. [They are worth so little] that [you] can [RHQ] buy five of them for only two small coins. But not one of them is ever forgotten by God {God never forgets one of them}!
7 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore, ye are superior to many sparrows.
You are worth more [to God] than many sparrows. So do not be afraid [of what people can do to you! God] even knows how many hairs there are on each of your heads, [so that if you(sg) lose one hair, he knows about it. So nothing bad can happen to you without his knowing it].
8 And I say to you, every man who will confess in me before men, the Son of man will also confess in him before the agents of God,
I want to tell you also that if people, [without being afraid, are willing to] tell others [that they are my disciples], [I], the one who came from heaven, will acknowledge before [God that they are my disciples]. [I will do that while] God’s angels listen.
9 but he who denies me in the presence of men will be denied in the presence of the agents of God.
But if people [are] afraid to say in front of others that they are [my disciples], [I] will say, while God’s angels listen, that they are not [my disciples].
10 And every man who will speak a word against the Son of man, it will be forgiven him, but to him who blasphemed against the Holy Spirit it will not be forgiven.
[I will tell you] also that [God is willing to] forgive people who say bad things about me, the one who came from heaven, but [he] will not forgive anyone who says evil things about what the Holy Spirit [does].
11 And when they bring you to the synagogues, and the principle positions, and the offices of authority, be not anxious how or what ye should answer in defense, or what ye should say,
[So] when people ask you in Jewish worship houses and in the presence of rulers and other authorities [about your trusting in me], do not worry about how you will answer them [when they accuse you]. Do not worry about what you should say,
12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
because the Holy Spirit will tell you at that very time what you should say.”
13 And a certain man out of the crowd said to him, Teacher, speak to my brother to divide the inheritance with me.
Then one of the people in the crowd said to [Jesus], “Teacher, tell my [older] brother to divide my father’s property and give me [the part that belongs] to me!”
14 But he said to him, Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbitrator over you?
But Jesus replied to him, “Man, (no one appointed me in order that I would settle [matters when people are] disputing about property!/did anyone appoint me in order that I would settle [matters when people are] disputing about property?) [RHQ]”
15 And he said to them, Watch, and keep away from greed, because to any man, life to him is not in the abundance of things possessed by him.
Then he said to the whole crowd, “Guard yourselves very carefully, in order that you do not desire other people’s things in any way! No one can make his life secure by [obtaining] many possessions.”
16 And he spoke a parable to them, saying, The land of a certain rich man brought forth well.
Then Jesus told the people this illustration: “There was a certain rich man whose crops grew very well.
17 And he pondered within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have nowhere I will store my crops?
[So] he said [to himself], ‘I do not know what to do, because I do not have any place [big enough] to store all my crops!’
18 And he said, I will do this. I will dismantle my barns, and I will build greater, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
Then he thought to himself, ‘[I know] what I will do! I will tear down my grain bins and build larger ones! Then I will store all my wheat and other goods in [the big new bins].
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou have many goods laid up for many years. Take thine ease, eat, drink, be merry.
[Then] I will say to myself [SYN], “Now I have plenty of goods stored up. [They will last] for many years. [So now] I will take life easy. I will eat and drink [all that I want to] and be happy [for a long time]!”’
20 But God said to him, Thou foolish man, they demand thy soul from thee this night, and the things that thou prepared, whose will they be?
But God said to him, ‘You foolish [man]! Tonight you will die! (Then all [the goods] you have saved up [for yourself] will [belong to someone else, not to] you!/Do you think that you [will benefit from] all that you have stored up for yourself?) [RHQ]’”
21 So is he who stores up for himself, and is not being rich toward God.
[Then Jesus ended this illustration by saying], “That is what will happen to those who store up goods just for themselves, but who do not value the things [that] God [considers] valuable.”
22 And he said to his disciples, Because of this I say to you, be not anxious for your life, what ye may eat, nor for the body, what ye may wear.
Then [Jesus] said to his disciples, “So I want to tell you this: Do not worry about [things you need] in order to live. Do not worry about [whether you will have enough food] to eat or [enough clothes] to wear.
23 For the life is more than the food, and the body, the clothing.
It is important to have sufficient food and clothing, but (the way you conduct your lives is more important./is not the way you conduct your lives more important?) [RHQ]
24 Consider the ravens, because they do not sow, nor do they reap, for which there is no storehouse nor barn, and God feeds them. How much ye are worth more than the birds.
Think about the birds: They do not plant [seeds], and they do not harvest [crops]. They do not have rooms or buildings in which to store crops. But God provides food for them. [And] you are certainly much more valuable than birds. [So God will certainly provide what you need]!
25 And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his age?
(There is not a one of you who can add a little bit to how long he lives by worrying about it!/Is there any of you who can add a little bit to how long he lives by worrying about it?) [RHQ]
26 If then ye are not able to do even the least, why are ye anxious about the rest?
Worrying is a small thing to do. So since you cannot add to your life, (you certainly should not worry about other things that [you need to have in order to live!]/why do you worry about other things that [you need to have in order to live]?) [RHQ]
27 Consider the lilies, how they grow. They toil not, nor do they spin, and I say to you, not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed like one of these.
Think about the way that flowers grow [in the fields]. They do not work [to earn money], and they do not make their own clothes. But I tell you that [even though King] Solomon, [who lived long ago, wore very beautiful clothes], his clothes were not as beautiful as one of those [flowers].
28 And if God so clothes the grass in the field, which today is, and tomorrow being cast into the oven, how much more you, O ye of little faith?
God makes the flowers beautiful, but they grow in the fields for only a short time. Then [they are cut at the same time that the grass] is cut, and thrown into an oven [to be burned to make heat for baking] bread. [So they really are not worth very much. But you are very precious to] God, [and he] will [care for you] much more [than he cares for the grass by filling it with beautiful flowers]. So he will certainly provide clothes for you, who [live much longer than the grass. Why] [RHQ] [do you] trust him so little?
29 And do not seek what ye may eat, and what ye may drink, and do not be unsettled.
Do not always be concerned about having enough to eat and drink, and do not be worrying about those things.
30 For the nations of the world seek all these things, and your Father knows that ye have need of these things.
The people who do not know God are always worried about such things. But your Father [in heaven] knows that you need those things, [so you should not worry about them].
31 However, seek ye the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you.
Instead, be concerned about letting [God] completely direct [your life]. Then [he] will also give you enough of the things [you need].
32 Fear not, little flock, because your Father is well pleased to give you the kingdom.
[You who are my disciples are like a] small flock of sheep, [and I am like your shepherd]. So you should not be afraid. Your Father [in heaven] wants to let you rule with him [in heaven].
33 Sell things possessed by you, and give charity. Make for yourselves purses not becoming old, a treasure unfailing in the heavens, where no thief approaches, nor moth corrupts.
[So now] sell the things that you own. Give [the money that you get for those things] to poor people. [If you do that, it will be as though] you are providing for yourselves purses that will not wear out, and [God will give] you a treasure in heaven that will always be safe. There, no thief can come near [to steal it], and no termite can destroy it.
34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Remember that [the things] that you [think are the most] valuable are [the things] that you will be constantly concerned about.”
35 Let your loins be girded about, and the lights burning,
“Be always ready [for doing God’s work] [MET], like [people] who have put on their work clothes and are ready [during the day], with their lamps burning all night.
36 and be ye like men waiting for their lord, when he may return from the wedding festivities, so that when he comes and knocks, they may straightaway open to him.
Be [ready for me to return] [MET], like servants who are waiting for their master to return after being at a wedding feast [for several days]. They are [waiting to] open the door for him and [start working for him again] as soon as he arrives and knocks at the door.
37 Blessed are those bondmen whom the lord when he comes will find watching. Truly I say to you, that he will gird himself, and will cause them to sit down, and having come, will serve them.
If those servants are awake when he returns, [he will] be very pleased with them. I will tell you this: He will put on [the kind of clothes] that servants wear and tell them to sit down, and he will serve them a meal.
38 And if he should come in the second watch, and should come in the third watch, and find so, blessed are those bondmen.
[Even] if he comes between midnight and sunrise, if he finds that his servants are [awake and] ready [for him], he will be very pleased with them.
39 But know this, that if the house-ruler had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.
But you must also remember this: If owners of a house knew what time a thief was coming, they [would stay awake and] would not allow their house to be broken into [and their goods to be stolen] {[the thief] to break into the house [and steal their goods]}.
40 Therefore, ye also become ready, because the Son of man comes at that hour ye do not suppose.
Similarly, you must be ready [for me to return], because [I], the one who came from heaven, will come [again] at a time when you do not expect [me to come].”
41 And Peter said to him, Lord, did thou speak this parable to us, or also to all?
Peter said, “Lord, are you [(sg)] speaking this illustration [only] for us or for everyone [else also]?”
42 And the Lord said, Who then is the faithful and wise manager whom his lord will appoint over his service to give the provision on time?
The Lord replied, “[I am saying it for you and for anyone else] [MET, RHQ] who is like a faithful and wise manager in his master’s house. His master appoints him to [supervise affairs in his house] and to give all the [other] servants their food at the proper time. [Then he leaves on a long trip].
43 Blessed is that bondman whom his lord when he comes will find so doing.
If the servant is doing that work when his master returns, [his master] will be very pleased with him.
44 Truly I say to you, that he will appoint him over the things being possessed by him.
I tell you this: His master will appoint him to supervise all of his affairs [permanently].
45 But if that bondman should say in his heart, My lord is late to come, and should begin to beat the servant boys and the servant girls, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken,
But that servant might think to himself, ‘My master [has been away] for a long time, [so he probably will] not return soon [and find out what I am doing].’ [Then he might] start to beat the [other] servants, both male and female ones. [He might also start] to eat [a lot of food] and get drunk.
46 the lord of that bondman will arrive in a day that he does not expect, and in an hour that he is not aware, and will cut him in two, and will place his portion with the unbelieving.
[If he does that, and if] his master returns on a day when the servant does not expect him, then his master will (cut him into two pieces/punish him severely) [HYP] and put him [in the place where he puts all] those who do not [serve him] faithfully.
47 And that bondman who knew his lord's will, and who did not prepare, nor do according to his will, will be beaten much,
Every servant who knows what his master wants him to do but who does not get himself ready and does not do what his master desires will be beaten severely {[The master] will beat severely every servant who knows what his master wants him to do but who does not get himself ready and does not do what his master desires}.
48 but he who did not know, and did things worthy of blows, will be beaten little. And to every man to whom much was given, much will be required from him. And to whom they entrust much, they will ask him more abundantly.
But every [servant] who did not know [what his master wanted] him to do, and who did things for which he deserved to be punished, will be beaten lightly {[the master] will beat lightly every [servant] who did not know [what his master wanted] him to do and did the things for which he deserved that [his master] would beat him}. [God will treat his people similarly, because he] expects a lot from those people whom [he] has allowed [to understand a lot]. People who entrust things [to others’ care] expect those people [to care for those things] very well. Similarly, [God] expects a lot from those people whom he has allowed [to understand a lot]. Furthermore, he expects the most from people to whom he has given the most [ability].”
49 I came to cast fire upon the earth, and what I desire is if it were kindled already.
“I came to earth to cause [there to be trials] [MET], [which will purify you as] fire [purifies metal] (OR, to cause judgment/divisions among you). I wish that the time when [you] will be purified {when [God] will purify you} (OR, when divisions will be caused {to cause divisions among people}) had already begun.
50 But I have an immersion to be immersed, and how am I constrained until it will be accomplished.
I must soon suffer [IDM] greatly. I am distressed, and I will continue to be distressed until my suffering is finished.
51 Do ye suppose that I came to give peace on the earth? I tell you, no, but rather division.
Do you think that as a result of my coming to earth people will live together peacefully? No! I must tell you, [that is not what will happen! Instead, people] will be divided.
52 For henceforth there will be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
Because some people in one house [will believe in me and some will not], they will be divided. [For example], three people in one house [who do not believe in me] will oppose two [who do believe], or two [who do not believe in me] will oppose three [who do believe].
53 A father will be divided against a son, and a son against a father, a mother against a daughter, and a daughter against a mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
A man will oppose his son, or a son will oppose his father. A woman will oppose her daughter, or a woman will oppose her mother. A woman will oppose her daughter-in-law, or a woman will oppose her mother-in-law.”
54 And he also said to the multitudes, When ye see a cloud rising from the west, straightaway ye say, A shower is coming, and so it happens.
He [also] said to the crowds, “[In this country], when you see a [dark] cloud forming in the west, you immediately say ‘It is going to rain!’ and that is what happens.
55 And when a south wind is blowing, ye say, There will be heat, and it happens.
[In this region], when the wind blows from the south, you say, ‘It is going to be a very hot day!’ and that is what happens.
56 Ye hypocrites, ye know how to examine the face of the earth and the sky, but how can ye not examine this season?
You hypocrites! By observing the clouds and the wind, you are able to discern what is happening regarding [the weather]. It is disgusting that you are not able to discern [what God is doing] at this present time [RHQ]!
57 And also why do ye not judge yourselves what is right?
(Each of you ought to determine now what is the right thing for you to do, [while you still have time to do that]!/Why cannot each of you determine what is the right [thing for you to do now while you still have time to do that]?) [RHQ]
58 For when thou go with thine opponent to the magistrate on the way give effort to be delivered from him, lest he may drag thee to the judge, and the judge may deliver thee to the officer, and the officer would cast thee into prison.
[If you do not do that, God will punish you] [MET]. [It will be like what happens when] someone takes one of you to court, saying that you [(sg)] have done something very bad. You should try to settle things with him while you are still on the way to the court. If he forces you to go to the judge, the judge will decide that you are guilty and put you into the hands of the court officer. Then that officer will put you in prison.
59 I say to thee, thou will, no, not come out from there, until thou have paid even the last mite.
I tell you that if you go to prison, you will never get out, [because you will never be able to] pay every bit [of what the judge says you owe] [MET]. [Similarly, you ought to settle accounts with God before you die, too].”
