Luke 11
1 One day Jesus was somewhere praying. When he finished [praying], one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us [what to say when] we [(exc)] pray, as John [the Baptizer] taught his disciples!”
And as he was praying in a certain place, it occurred, that when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him: Our Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
2 He said to them, “When you pray, say [things like this]: ‘Father, we want you [(sg)] [MTY] to be honored/revered. [We want people to let you(sg)] [MTY, MET] rule over their lives.
Jesus said to them: When ye pray, thus speak ye: Our Father who art in heaven, hallow be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy pleasure be done, as in heaven, so on earth;
3 Give us [(exc)] each day the food [SYN] that we need.
give us daily the bread we need;
4 Forgive us [for] the wrong things that we have done, because we forgive people for the wrong things that they do to us. Do not let us do wrong things when we are tempted {[someone or something] tempts us}.’”
and remit to us our sins, for we also remit to all that are indebted to us; and bring us not into trials, but deliver us from evil.
5 Then he said to them, “Suppose that one of you goes to the house of a friend at midnight. Suppose that you [(sg) stand outside and] call out to him, ‘My friend, please lend me three buns!
And he said to them: Which of you shall have a friend, that shall come to him at midnight and say to him, My friend, lend me three cakes;
6 Another friend of mine who is traveling has just arrived [at my house], but I have no food [ready] to give to him!’
for a friend hath come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him?
7 Suppose that he answers you from inside [his house], ‘Do not bother me! The door has been locked {[We(exc)] have locked the door} and all my family are in bed. [So] I cannot get up and give you [(sg)] anything!’
And his friend within shall answer, and say to him: Do not disturb me, for lo, the door is closed, and my children with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
8 I will tell you that even if he does not [want to] get up and give you [any food], to avoid being ashamed [for not helping you] because you are his friend (OR, if without being ashamed you continue asking him to do that), he certainly will get up and give you whatever you need.
I say to you: If he give him not, on account of friendship, yet on account of his importunity, he will arise and give him as much as he asketh.
9 So I tell you this: Keep asking [God for what you need]. If you do that, [he] will give it to you [(pl)]. Confidently keep expecting [God to give you the things that you need], and [he] will give them to you [MET]. [It will be like] looking for what you need and finding it. Keep on [praying urgently to God. Then God will answer you. It will be like] knocking [on a door] so that [God] will open [the way] for you [to get what you pray for].
I say also to you: Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and ye will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
10 Remember that [God] will give things to everyone who continues to ask [him for them]. [He] will give things to whoever confidently keeps asking. [He] will open [the way] for people [to get the things that they keep urgently praying for].
For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it is opened.
11 If one of you had a son who asked you [(sg)] for a fish [to eat], (you [(sg)] certainly would not give him a [poisonous] snake instead!/would you give him a [poisonous] snake instead?) [RHQ]
For which of you being a father, if his son shall ask him for bread, will he reach to him a stone? Or, if he ask of him a fish, will he, instead of a fish, reach to him a serpent?
12 If he asked you for an egg, (you [(sg)] certainly would not give him a scorpion!/would you give him a scorpion?) [RHQ]
Or, if he ask of him an egg, will he reach to him a scorpion?
13 Even though you people are evil, you know how to give good things to your children. So your Father in heaven will certainly [give good things] to those who ask him, [including] giving the Holy Spirit, [who is the best gift].”
And if ye, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father from heaven give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
14 [One day there was a man there who, because a demon controlled him] [MTY], was unable to speak. After [Jesus expelled] the demon, the man [began to] talk. [Most of] the people [there] were amazed.
And as he was casting out a demon that was dumb, it occurred, that when the demon had gone out, the dumb man conversed: and the multitudes admired.
15 But some of them said, “It is Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons, who enables [this man] to expel demons!”
But some of them said: It is by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that he casteth out demons.
16 Other [people there] asked Jesus to perform a miracle [to prove (he was the Messiah/that he had come] from God) [MTY/EUP]. They wanted to trap him [into not being able to perform a miracle or into doing something ridiculous].
And others, to tempt him, asked of him a sign from heaven.
17 But Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he said to them, “If [the people in] one nation fight against each other, their nation will be destroyed {[they] will destroy their nation}. If [the people in] [MTY] one house are divided, they will cease to remain as one [family].
But Jesus, as he knew their thoughts, said to them: Every kingdom that is divided against itself, will become a desolation: and a house that is divided against itself, will fall.
18 [Similarly], if Satan [and his demons] were fighting against each other, (his rule over them would [certainly] not last!/how would his rule over them last?) [RHQ] [I say this] because you are saying that I am expelling demons by [the power of] the ruler of [his own demons]
And if Satan be divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? since ye say, that I by Beelzebub cast out demons.
19 Furthermore, if [it is true that] Satan enables me to expel demons, [is it also true that] your disciples [who] expel demons [do so] by [Satan’s] power [RHQ]? [No, that is not true]. So they will show that you [are not thinking logically].
And if I, by Beelzebub, cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore will they be to you judges.
20 But because it is by the power [MTY] of God [that I expel demons], I am showing you [that the power of] God to [MET] rule [people’s lives] has come to you.”
But if I, by the finger of God, cast out demons, the kingdom of God hath come near to you.
21 Then, [to show that by expelling evil spirits he was making it clear that he was much more powerful than Satan, Jesus said] [MET], “When a strong man who has many weapons guards his own house, no one can steal the things in his house.
When a strong man armed keepeth his doorway, his property rests securely.
22 But when someone else who is stronger attacks that man and subdues him, he is able to take away the weapons in which the man trusted. Then he can take from that man’s house anything he [wants to].
But if a stronger than he come and overpower him, he taketh away all his arms on which he relied, and divideth the spoil of him.
23 [No one can be neutral]. Those who do not help me [are opposing] me, and those who do not gather [people to become] my [disciples] are causing [those people] to go away [from me].”
He that is not for me, is against me; and he that gathereth not with me, actually scattereth.
24 [Then Jesus said this]: “[Sometimes when] an evil spirit leaves someone, it wanders around in desolate areas seeking [someone in whom it can] rest. If it does not find anyone, it says [to itself], ‘I will return to the person in whom I used to live!’
An unclean spirit, when he goeth out of a man, goeth wandering in places where no water is, in order to find rest; and, as he cannot find it he saith: I will return to my habitation, from which I came.
25 So it goes back and finds that [the Spirit of God is not in control of that person’s life. The person’s life is like] a house that has been {that someone has} swept clean and everything put {put everything} in order, [but a house that is empty].
And when he cometh, he findeth it swept clean and set in order.
26 Then [this evil spirit] goes and gets seven other spirits that are [even] more evil than it is. They [all] enter [that person] and [begin] living there. [So], [although] that person’s condition [was bad] before, it became much worse.”
Then he goeth and taketh seven other spirits, worse than himself, and they enter in and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
27 When Jesus said that, a woman who was listening called out [to him], “[God is] pleased with the woman who gave birth to you [(sg)] and let you nurse [at her breasts]!”
And while he was saying these things, a certain woman from the crowd, lifted up her voice, and said to him: Blessed is the womb that carried thee, and the breasts that nursed thee.
28 But he replied, “God [is] much more pleased with those who hear his message and obey it!”
He said to her: Blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it.
29 When the group of people around [Jesus] got larger, he said, “[Many of] you people who have been observing my ministry are evil. You want [me to perform] a miracle [to prove that I have come from God], but the only miracle that [I] will perform for you is one [like happened to] Jonah.
And when multitudes were assembled, he began to say: This evil generation seeketh a sign; and no sign will be given it, but the sign of Jonah the prophet.
30 [After Jonah was inside a huge fish for three days, God performed] a miracle [to restore] Jonah. [Jonah then went and testified about that] to the people in Nineveh [city. God will perform] a similar miracle [for me], the one who came from heaven. [When you people have seen that miracle, you will believe my message].
For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of man be a sign to this generation.
31 [Long ago the] queen from [Sheba], [far] south [of Israel, traveled a long distance to hear Solomon speak many] wise things. But now [I, a man] who [is much] greater [and wiser] than Solomon, am here, [but you have not listened to what I have told you]. Therefore, at the time when [God] judges [all people], the queen from [Sheba] will stand there, [along] with you people, and will condemn you.
The queen of the south will stand up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and will condemn them; for she came from the other side of the earth, to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and lo, one superior to Solomon is here.
32 The people who lived in Nineveh [city] turned from their sinful ways when Jonah preached to them. But now I, who am greater than Jonah, have come [and preached to you], [but you have not turned from your sinful ways]. Therefore, at the time when God judges [all people], the people who lived in Nineveh will stand there with you and condemn you.”
The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and lo, one superior to Jonah is here.
33 [Then, to show them that they did not need more miracles, but that they needed only to understand better what he had already told them, he said to them] [MET], “People who light a lamp do not then hide it, or put it under a basket. Instead, they put it on a lampstand so that those who enter [their house] can see [things from] its light. [Similarly, I have not concealed God’s truth. I have revealed it to you].
No one lighteth a lamp, and putteth it in a secret place, or under a bushel, but upon a light-stand; that they who come in, may see its light.
34 Your eyes [MET] are like a lamp for your body, because they enable you to see things. If your eyes are healthy, you are able to see everything well [MET]. [Similarly, if you(sg) accept my teaching, you will be able to know all that God wants you to know]. But if your eyes are bad, you are not able to see anything. It is like being in darkness [MET]. [And similarly, if you(pl) do not accept what I teach, you will not be able to know all the things that God wants you to know].
The lamp of thy body is thy eye. Therefore, when thy eye is sound, thy whole body will be enlightened; but if it be bad, thy body also will be dark.
35 Therefore, [you(pl) do not need to see more miracles. You need to think carefully about what I have already] told you, so that the things that you have heard from others do not cause you to remain in spiritual darkness [MET].
See to it, therefore, lest the light that is in thee, be darkness.
36 If you [live completely according to God’s truth, you will be able to know everything that God wants you to know. It will be like] being in a room with a lamp shining brightly, enabling you to see everything clearly.”
For if thy whole body be enlightened, and no part in it be dark, the whole will be luminous, as if a lamp enlightened thee by its radiance.
37 While Jesus finished saying those things, a Pharisee invited him to eat a meal with him. So Jesus went to [his house] and ate with him.
And while he was speaking, a certain Pharisee requested him to dine with him: and he went in, and reclined.
38 The Pharisee was surprised when he saw that Jesus did not follow the Pharisees’ ritual by washing his hands before eating. [The Pharisees washed their hands in a certain way to be cleansed from anything that might have contaminated them. They were afraid that God might reject them if they] had [touched something unacceptable to God].
And the Pharisee noticing him, wondered that he did not previously baptize before dinner.
39 The Lord [Jesus] said to him, “You Pharisees are [concerned about things that are outside your bodies, not with what is in your] ([inner beings/hearts]) [MET]. You wash the outside of cups and dishes [before you eat because you think that doing that will make you acceptable to God], but within yourselves you are very greedy and wicked.
And Jesus said to him: Now ye Pharisees make clean the exterior of the cup and the dish; but your interior is full of extortion and wickedness.
40 You foolish people! [God] is concerned about things that are outside [our bodies], but (he is certainly also concerned about our inner [beings]!/isn’t he also concerned about our hearts?) [RHQ]
Ye deficient in understanding! did not he who made the exterior, make also the interior?
41 Give [money] to those who are poor. [Give according to what you know within] your (inner [/heart]) [that you should give]. Then you [will be surprised to realize that] you will be acceptable [to God without having to perform all those rituals about washing].
But, give ye alms from what ye possess; and lo, every thing will be clean to you.
42 But there will be terrible punishment for you Pharisees! You give to God a tenth of [all you produce, even] the various herbs that you grow, but you do not [remember that you must act] justly [toward others] and love God! It is good to [give a tenth of your income to God], but you ought to do these other things also!
But woe to you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue, and every pot-herb; but pass over justice and the love of God. Now ye ought to do these things, and not to omit those.
43 There will be terrible punishment for you Pharisees, because you like [to sit in] the best seats in our worship places [so that people will think highly of you], and you like people to greet you [respectfully] in the marketplaces.
Woe to you, Pharisees! who love the chief seats in the synagogues, and a salutation in the streets.
44 There will be terrible punishment for you, because you are like ground where there is no marker [to indicate that there is a] grave [underneath]. People walk there, but they cannot see [what is rotten down below] [MET]! [Similarly, people who see you do not realize how polluted you are within yourselves].”
Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like graves that are unknown, and men walk over them and do not know it.
45 One of those who taught the [Jewish] laws replied, “Teacher, by saying this you [(sg)] are criticizing us [also]!”
And one of the Scribes replied, and said to him: Teacher, while saying these things, thou reproachest us also.
46 Jesus said, “It will be terrible also for you who teach the [Jewish] laws! You require people [to obey many rules that are difficult to obey] [MET]. [That is like making them] carry heavy burdens on their backs. But you yourselves do not obey the laws [that you require others to obey]. (OR, you do not do anything to help [others to obey the laws].)
And he said: Woe to you also! ye Scribes, who lade men with heavy burdens; yet ye yourselves will not touch those burdens with one of your fingers
47 There will be terrible punishment for you! You decorate the tombs of the prophets whom your ancestors killed, [but you do not live according to what the prophets taught].
Woe to you! who build the sepulchres of the prophets, whom your fathers slew.
48 So you are declaring that you approve of what your ancestors did. They killed the prophets, and you [are not honoring the prophets! You just] decorate their tombs!
Thus ye testify, that ye acquiesce in the deeds of your fathers; for they slew them, and ye build their sepulchres.
49 So God, who is very wise [PRS], said, ‘I will send prophets and apostles [to you Jews]. [You] will kill some of them and cause some of them to suffer greatly.
Therefore hath wisdom said: Lo, I will send to them prophets and legates; and some of them they will persecute and slay;
50 [As a result, I] will consider that many of you people [who have observed my Son’s ministry] will be guilty [MTY] [of murder, as if you had] killed all the prophets that other people have killed, from the time I created the world,
that from this generation may be required, the blood of all the prophets, which hath been shed since the world was created;
51 starting from [Adam’s son Cain] killing [his brother] Abel and continuing until they killed the prophet Zechariah [in the holy place] between the altar and the temple.’ Yes, what I am saying [is true] [MTY]. [God] will punish you people who have observed my ministry, you people whom [he] considers to be guilty [MTY] for [killing] all those prophets!
from the blood of Abel, to the blood of Zachariah who was slain between the temple and the altar. Yea, say I to you: It will be required of this generation.
52 There will be terrible punishment for you men who teach the [Jewish] laws, because you have [not let people] know [God’s truth] [MET]! [It is as though you are] taking away a key [to a house]. You are not going into [the house] yourselves, and you are not letting other people enter it, either.”
Woe to you, Scribes; for ye have taken away the keys of knowledge: ye yourselves enter not, and them that are entering ye hinder.
53 After Jesus finished saying those things, he left there. Then the men who taught the [Jewish] laws and the Pharisees began to act in a very hostile way toward him. They tried to make him say what he thought about many things.
And when he had said these things to them, the Scribes and Pharisees began to be offended, and became angry, and carped at his discourses,
54 They kept waiting for him to say something [wrong] for which they could accuse him.
and practised many wiles upon him, seeking to catch some thing from his lips, that they might accuse him.
