Luke 12
1 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].
Amongst which things, when the ten thousands of the multitude were gathered together, so that they were treading one upon another, he began to be saying, unto his disciples, first—Be keeping yourselves free from the leaven of the Pharisees, the which is, hypocrisy.
2 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}.
But, nothing, hath been, covered up, which shall not be uncovered, and hidden, which shall not be made known.
3 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.”
Because, as many things as, in the darkness, ye have said, in the light, shall be heard; and, what to the ear ye spake, in the chambers, shall be proclaimed on the housetops.
4 “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].
And I say unto you, my friends—Do not be put in fear of them who kill the body, and, after these things, have nothing more uncommon which they can do.
5 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)
But I will suggest to you, whom ye should fear—Fear him who, after killing, hath authority to cast into gehenna, —Yea, I say unto you—Him, fear ye. (Geenna g1067)
6 [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}!
Are not, five sparrows, sold for two farthings? and, not one from among them, hath been forgotten before God.
7 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].
But, even the hairs of your head, have all been numbered: Be not afraid: many sparrows, ye excel.
8 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.
And I say unto you—Whosoever shall confess me before men, even the Son of Man, will confess him, before the messengers of God;
9 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].
But, he who denied me before men, shall be denied before the messengers of God.
10 [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].
And, whosoever shall say a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but, unto him who, against the Holy Spirit, speaketh profanely, it shall not be forgiven.
11 [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,
But, whensoever they shall be bringing you in before the synagogues, and the rulers, and the authorities, do not be anxious how, [or what] ye shall answer, or what ye shall say;
12 because the Holy Spirit will tell you at that very time what you should say.”
For, the Holy Spirit, shall teach you, in that very hour, what ye ought to say.
13 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!”
And one from amongst the multitude said unto him—Teacher! bid my brother divide with me the inheritance.
14 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]”
But, he, said unto him—Man! who hath appointed me a judge or divider over you?
15 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.”
And he said unto them—Mind and be guarding yourselves from all covetousness; for not, in one’s abundance, doth his life spring out of his possessions.
16 Then Jesus told the people this illustration: “There was a certain rich man whose crops grew very well.
And he spake a parable unto them, saying—A certain rich man’s estate, bare well.
17 [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!’
And he began to deliberate within himself, saying—What shall I do? because I have not where I can gather my fruits.
18 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].
And he said—This, will I do, —I will pull down my barns, and, greater ones, build, and gather, there, all my wheat and good things;
19 [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]!”’
and will say to my soul—Soul! thou hast many good things [lying by for many years: be taking thy rest, eat, drink, ] be making merry!
20 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]’”
But God said unto him—Simple one! on this very night, they are asking, thy soul, from thee; The things, then, which thou hast prepared, whose shall they be?
21 [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.”
[So, is he that is laying up treasure for himself, and is not rich, towards God.]
22 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.
And he said unto his disciples—For this cause, I say unto you, —Be not anxious for the life, what ye shall eat, nor yet for [your] body, what ye shall put on;
23 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]
For, the life, is more, than the food, and, the body, than, the clothing.
24 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]!
Consider well the ravens—That they sow nor, neither do they reap, which have neither chamber nor barn, —and, God, feedeth, them! By how much do, ye, excel, the birds?
25 (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]
And, who from among you, though anxious, can, unto his stature, add a cubit?
26 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]
If then, not even the least thing, ye can do, why, concerning the rest, are ye anxious?
27 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].
Consider well the lilies, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin, and yet I say unto you—Not even Solomon, in all his glory, was arrayed like one of these.
28 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?
But, if God thus adorneth, the grass, which is, in a field, to-day, and, to-morrow, into an oven, is cast, how much rather you, O little-of-faith?
29 Do not always be concerned about having enough to eat and drink, and do not be worrying about those things.
Ye, therefore, be not seeking what ye shall eat and what ye shall drink, and be not held in suspense;
30 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].
For, after all these things, do, the nations of the world, seek, —but, your Father, knoweth that ye need these things.
31 Instead, be concerned about letting [God] completely direct [your life]. Then [he] will also give you enough of the things [you need].
Notwithstanding, be seeking his kingdom, —and, these things, shall be added unto you.
32 [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].
Be not afraid, the dear little flock! for your Father delighteth to give you, the kingdom.
33 [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.
Sell your possessions, and give alms, make for yourselves purses that wax not old, —treasure unfailing, in the heavens, where, thief, doth not draw near, and, moth, doth not spoil.
34 Remember that [the things] that you [think are the most] valuable are [the things] that you will be constantly concerned about.”
For, where your treasure is, there, will your heart he also.
35 “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.
Let your loins be girded, and your lamps burning,
36 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.
And, ye yourselves, like unto men awaiting their own lord, once he may break up out of the marriage-feast, —that, when he cometh and knocketh, straightway, they may open unto him.
37 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.
Happy those servants, whom the lord, when he cometh, shall find watching! Verily, I say unto you—he will gird himself, and make them recline, and, coming near, will minister unto them.
38 [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.
And, if, in the second, or if, in the third, watch, he come and find, thus, happy, are, they!
39 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]}.
But, of this, be taking note—Had the householder known, in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not suffered his house, to be digged through.
40 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].”
Ye, therefore, be getting ready, because, in what hour ye are not thinking, The Son of Man cometh!
41 Peter said, “Lord, are you [(sg)] speaking this illustration [only] for us or for everyone [else also]?”
But Peter said—Lord! unto us, this parable, speakest thou? or, even unto all?
42 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].
And the Lord said—Who then is the faithful steward, the prudent one, whom the lord will appoint over his body of attendants, to be giving, in due season, the measured allowance of wheat?
43 If the servant is doing that work when his master returns, [his master] will be very pleased with him.
Happy, that servant, whom the lord, when he cometh shall find doing, thus!
44 I tell you this: His master will appoint him to supervise all of his affairs [permanently].
Of a truth, I say unto you—Over all his possessions, will he appoint him.
45 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.
But, if that servant should say in his heart—My lord delayeth to come! and should begin to be striking the youths and the maidens, —to be eating also, and drinking, and making himself drunk,
46 [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.
The lord of that servant, will have come—on a day when he is not expecting, and in an hour when he is not taking note, —and will cut him asunder, and, his part, with the unfaithful, will appoint.
47 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}.
And, that servant, who had come to know the will of his lord, and neither prepared, nor wrought unto his will, shall be beaten with many stripes;
48 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].”
Whereas, he who had not come to know, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. And, every one to whom was given much, much, shall be sought from him; and, he to whom they committed much, for more than common, will they ask him.
49 “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.
Fire, came I to cast upon the earth, —and what can I wish, if, already, it hath been, kindled?
50 I must soon suffer [IDM] greatly. I am distressed, and I will continue to be distressed until my suffering is finished.
But, an immersion, have I, to be immersed with, and how am I distressed, until it be ended!
51 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.
Suppose ye, that, peace, I am come to give in the earth? Nay, I tell you, but rather division.
52 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].
For there shall be, henceforth, five in one house, divided, —three against two, and two against three:
53 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.”
There shall be divided—Father against son, and son against father, mother against daughter, and daughter against the mother, —mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against the mother-in-law.
54 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.
And he went on to say, even unto the multitudes, —Whensoever ye see a cloud springing up from the west, straightway, ye are saying—A thunderstorm is coming! and it happeneth thus.
55 [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.
And, whensoever a south wind, blowing, ye say—A scorching heat, will there be! and it cometh to pass.
56 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]!
Hypocrites! the face of the earth and of the heaven, ye know how to scan; but, this season, how know ye not to scan;
57 (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]
Why, moreover, even from yourselves, judge ye not what is just?
58 [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.
For, as thou art going along with thine adversary unto a ruler, on the way, take pains to get a release from him; lest once he drag thee along unto the judge, and, the judge, deliver thee up to the punisher, —and, the punisher, cast thee into prison:
59 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].”
I tell thee—In nowise shalt thou come out from thence, until, even the last fraction, thou pay!
