New American Standard Bible 1995

New Living Translation

1Under these circumstances, after so many thousands of people had gathered together that they were stepping on one another, He began saying to His disciples first of all,"Beware 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.

2"But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will 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.

3"Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will 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!

4"I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who 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.

5"But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell 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.

6"Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet 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.

7"Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable 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.

8"And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also 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 who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.

9 But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels.

10"And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him.

10 Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

11"When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to 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 Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."

12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.” Parable of the Rich Fool

13Someone in the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me."

13Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.”

14But He said to him, "Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?"

14Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?”

15Then He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions."

15Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

16And He told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man was very productive.

16Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops.

17"And he began reasoning to himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?'

17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’

18"Then he said, 'This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain 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, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your 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!”’

20"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?'

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’

21"So is the man who stores 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 to His disciples, "For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will 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.

23"For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.

23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing.

24"Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds!

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!

25"And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life's span?

25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

26"If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters?

26 And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?

27"Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself 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.

28"But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men 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?

29"And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying.

29 “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things.

30"For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things.

30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs.

31"But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.

32"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly 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.

33"Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys.

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.

34"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

34 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Be Ready for the Lord’s Coming

35"Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit.

35 “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning,

36"Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks.

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.

37"Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on 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!

38"Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.

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.

39"But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into.

39 “Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into.

40"You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect."

40 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”

41Peter said, "Lord, are You addressing this parable to us, or to everyone else as well?"

41Peter asked, “Lord, is that illustration just for us or for everyone?”

42And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time?

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.

43"Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.

43 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward.

44"Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

44 I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns.

45"But if that slave says in his heart, 'My master will be a long time in coming,' and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk;

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 master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place 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.

47"And that slave who knew his master's will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes,

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 the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all 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

49"I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled!

49 “I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning!

50"But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!

50 I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished.

51"Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, 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 now on five members in one household will be 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.

53"They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against 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 was also saying to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, 'A shower is coming,' and so it turns out.

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.

55"And when you see a south wind blowing, you say, 'It will be a hot day,' and it turns out that way.

55 When the south wind blows, you say, ‘Today will be a scorcher.’ And it is.

56"You hypocrites! You know how to analyze the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why do you not analyze this present 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.

57"And why do you not even on your own initiative judge what is right?

57 “Why can’t you decide for yourselves what is right?

58"For while you are going with your opponent to appear before the magistrate, on your way there make an effort to settle with him, so that he may not drag you before the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you 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.

59"I say to you, you will not get out of there until you have paid the very last cent."

59 And if that happens, you won’t be free again until you have paid the very last penny. ”

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org

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.