King James Bible | New Living Translation |
1In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. | 1Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy. |
2For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. | 2 The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. |
3Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. | 3 Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear! |
4And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. | 4 “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. |
5But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. | 5 But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear. |
6Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? | 6 “What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins ? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. |
7But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. | 7 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. |
8Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: | 8 “I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels. |
9But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. | 9 But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels. |
10And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. | 10 Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. |
11And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: | 11 “And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, |
12For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say. | 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.” Parable of the Rich Fool |
13And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. | 13Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.” |
14And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? | 14Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” |
15And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. | 15Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” |
16And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: | 16Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. |
17And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? | 17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ |
18And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. | 18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. |
19And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. | 19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ |
20But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? | 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ |
21So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. | 21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” Teaching about Money and Possessions |
22And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. | 22Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. |
23The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. | 23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. |
24Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? | 24 Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! |
25And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? | 25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? |
26If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? | 26 And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things? |
27Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. | 27 “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. |
28If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? | 28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? |
29And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. | 29 “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. |
30For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. | 30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. |
31But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. | 31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. |
32Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. | 32 “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. |
33Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. | 33 “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. |
34For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. | 34 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Be Ready for the Lord’s Coming |
35Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; | 35 “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, |
36And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. | 36 as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. |
37Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. | 37 The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! |
38And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. | 38 He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready. |
39And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. | 39 “Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into. |
40Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. | 40 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” |
41Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? | 41Peter asked, “Lord, is that illustration just for us or for everyone?” |
42And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? | 42And the Lord replied, “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. |
43Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. | 43 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. |
44Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. | 44 I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. |
45But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; | 45 But what if the servant thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? |
46The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. | 46 The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful. |
47And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. | 47 “And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. |
48But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. | 48 But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. Jesus Causes Division |
49I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? | 49 “I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning! |
50But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! | 50 I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished. |
51Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: | 51 Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other! |
52For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. | 52 From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against—or two in favor and three against. |
53The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. | 53 ‘Father will be divided against son and son against father; mother against daughter and daughter against mother; and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’ ” |
54And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is. | 54Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said, “When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, ‘Here comes a shower.’ And you are right. |
55And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass. | 55 When the south wind blows, you say, ‘Today will be a scorcher.’ And it is. |
56Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? | 56 You fools! You know how to interpret the weather signs of the earth and sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the present times. |
57Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right? | 57 “Why can’t you decide for yourselves what is right? |
58When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison. | 58 When you are on the way to court with your accuser, try to settle the matter before you get there. Otherwise, your accuser may drag you before the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, who will throw you into prison. |
59I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite. | 59 And if that happens, you won’t be free again until you have paid the very last penny. ” |
King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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