[1] Meanwhile, when a multitude of many thousands had gathered together, so
much so that they trampled on each other, he began to tell his disciples
first of all, "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
[2] But there is nothing covered up, that will not be revealed, nor hidden,
that will not be known. [3] Therefore whatever you have said in the
darkness will be heard in the light. What you have spoken in the ear in the
inner chambers will be proclaimed on the housetops. [4] I tell you, my
friends, don`t be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no
more that they can do. [5] But I will warn you whom you shall fear. Fear
him, who after he has killed, has power to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I tell
you, fear him. [6] Aren`t five sparrows sold for two assaria? Not one of
them is forgotten by God. [7] But the very hairs of your head are all
numbered. Therefore don`t be afraid. You are of more value than many
sparrows. [8] I tell you, everyone who confesses me before men, him will
the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God; [9] but he who denies
me in the presence of men will be denied in the presence of the angels of
God. [10] Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be
forgiven, but those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit will not be
forgiven. [11] When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and
the authorities, don`t be anxious how or what you will answer, or what you
will say; [12] for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what
you must say." [13] One of the multitude said to him, "Teacher, tell my
brother to divide the inheritance with me." [14] But he said to him, "Man,
who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?" [15] He said to them,
"Beware! Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man`s life doesn`t
consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses." [16] He spoke a
parable to them, saying, "The ground of a certain rich man brought forth
abundantly. [17] He reasoned within himself, saying, `What will I do,
because I don`t have room to store my crops?` [18] He said, `This is what I
will do. I will pull down my barns, and build bigger ones, and there I will
store all my grain and my goods. [19] I will tell my soul, "Soul, you have
many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, be merry."`
[20] But God said to him, `You foolish one, tonight your soul is required
of you. The things which you have prepared -- whose will they be?` [21] So
is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." [22]
He said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, don`t be anxious for your
life, what you will eat, nor yet for your body, what you will wear. [23]
Life is more than food, and the body than clothing. [24] Consider the
ravens: they don`t sow, they don`t reap, they have no warehouse or barn,
and God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than birds! [25] Which
of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his height? [26] If then you
aren`t able to do even the least things, why are you anxious about the
rest? [27] Consider the lilies, how they grow. They don`t toil, neither do
they spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed
like one of these. [28] But if this is how God clothes the grass in the
field, which today exists, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, how much
more will he clothe you, you of little faith? [29] Don`t seek what you will
eat or what you will drink; neither be anxious. [30] For the nations of the
world seek after all of these things, but your Father knows that you need
these things. [31] Yet seek God`s kingdom, and all these things will be
added to you. [32] Don`t be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father`s
good pleasure to give you the kingdom. [33] Sell that which you have, and
give alms. Make for yourselves purses which don`t grow old, a treasure in
the heavens that doesn`t fail, where no thief approaches, neither moth
destroys. [34] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
[35] Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps burning. [36] Be like
men looking for their lord, when he will return from the marriage feast;
that, when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open to him. [37]
Blessed are those servants, whom the lord will find watching when he comes.
Most assuredly I tell you, that he will gird himself, and make them
recline, and will come and serve them. [38] They will be blessed if he
comes in the second or third watch, and finds them so. [39] But know this,
that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was
coming, he would have watched, and not allowed his house to be broken into.
[40] Therefore be ready also, for the Son of Man is coming in an hour that
you don`t expect him." [41] Peter said to him, "Lord, are you telling this
parable to us, or to everybody?" [42] The Lord said, "Who then is the
faithful and wise steward, whom his lord will set over his household, to
give them their portion of food at the right times? [43] Blessed is that
servant whom his lord will find doing so when he comes. [44] Truly I tell
you, that he will set him over all that he has. [45] But if that servant
says in his heart, `My lord delays his coming,` and begins to beat the
menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken,
[46] then the lord of that servant will come in a day when he isn`t
expecting him, and in an hour that he doesn`t know, and will cut him apart,
and place his portion with the unfaithful. [47] That servant, who knew his
lord`s will, and didn`t prepare, nor do what he wanted, will be beaten with
many stripes, [48] but he who didn`t know, and did things worthy of
stripes, will be beaten with few stripes. To whoever much is given, of him
will much be required; and to whom they deposit much, of him will they ask
more. [49] "I came to throw fire on the earth, I wish it were already
kindled. [50] But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed
I am until it is accomplished! [51] Do you think that I have come to give
peace in the earth? I tell you, no, but rather division. [52] For from now
on, there will be five in one house divided, three against two, and two
against three. [53] They will be divided, father against son, and son
against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against her mother;
mother in law against her daughter in law, and daughter in law against her
mother in law." [54] He said to the multitudes also, "When you see a cloud
rising from the west, immediately you say, `A shower is coming,` and so it
happens. [55] When a south wind blows, you say, `There will be a scorching
heat,` and it happens. [56] You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the
appearance of the earth and the sky, but how is it that you don`t interpret
this time? [57] Why don`t you judge for yourselves what is right? [58] For
as you are going with your adversary before the magistrate, try diligently
on the way to be freed from him, lest perhaps he drag you to the judge, and
the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into
prison. [59] I tell you, you will by no means get out of there, until you
have paid the very last lepton."
