< Luke 16 >
1 He said, likewise, to his disciples, A certain rich man had a steward, who was accused to him of wasting his estate.
2 Having, therefore, called him, he said, What is this that I hear of you? Render an account of your management, for you shall be steward no longer.
3 And the steward said within himself, What shall I do? My master takes from me the stewardship; I can not dig, and am ashamed to beg.
4 I am resolved what to do, that when I am discarded, there may be some who will receive me into their houses.
5 Having, therefore, sent severally for all his master's debtors, he asked one, How much do you owe my master?
6 He answered, A hundred baths of oil. Take back your bill, said the steward, sit down directly, and write fifty.
7 Then he asked another, How much do you owe? He answered, A hundred homers of wheat. Take back your bill, said he, and write eighty.
8 The master commended the prudence of the unjust steward; for the children of this world are more prudent in conducting their affairs, than the children of light. (aiōn )
9 Therefore, I say to you, with the deceitful riches procure to yourself friends, who, after your discharge, may receive you into the eternal mansion. (aiōnios )
10 Whoso is faithful in little is faithful also in much: and whoso is unjust in little, is unjust also in much.
11 If, therefore, you have not been honest in the deceitful, who will intrust you with the true riches?
12 And if you have been unfaithful managers for another, who will give you anything to manage for yourselves?
13 A servant can not serve two masters: for either he will hate one, and love the other; or, at least, will attend one, and neglect the other. You can not serve God and mammon.
14 When the Pharisees, who loved money, heard all these things, they ridiculed him.
15 But he said to them, As for you, you make yourselves pass upon men for righteous, but God knows your hearts; for that which is admired of men is abhorred of God.
16 You had the law and the prophets till the coming of John, since whose time, the kingdom of God is announced, and every occupant enters it by force.
17 But sooner shall heaven and earth perish, than one tittle of the law shall fail.
18 Whoever divorces his wife, and takes another, commits adultery; and whoever marries the divorced woman, commits adultery.
19 There was a certain rich man, that wore purple and fine linen, and feasted splendidly every day.
20 There was also a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, that was laid at his gate,
21 and who was desirous to feed on the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: yes, even the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 It happened that the poor man died, and was conveyed by angels to Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried.
23 And in hades, being in torments, he looked up, and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom, (Hadēs )
24 and cried, saying, Have pity on me, father Abraham, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tortured in this flame.
25 Abraham answered, Son, remember that you, in your lifetime, received good things, and Lazarus received evil things; but now he is in joy, and you are in torments.
26 Besides, there lies a huge gulf between us and you, so that they who would pass hence to you, can not: neither can they pass to us, who would come thence.
27 The other replied, I entreat you, then, father, to send him to my father's house;
28 for I have five brothers, that he may admonish them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
29 Abraham answered, They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them.
30 Nay, said he, father Abraham, but if one went to them from the dead, they would reform.
31 Abraham replied, if they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one should arise from the dead.
