Luke 12:24-57
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 12
24Consider the ravens, that 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! 25And which of you by worrying can add a day to his life’s span? 26Therefore if you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about the other things? 27Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither labor nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 28Now 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 of little faith! 29And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. 30For all these things are what the nations of the world eagerly seek; and your Father knows that you need these things. 31But seek His kingdom, and these things will be provided to you. 32Do not be afraid, little flock, because your Father has chosen to give you the kingdom.
33Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor does a moth destroy.
34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
35Be prepared, and keep your lamps lit.
36You are also to be like people who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door for him when he comes and knocks.
37Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will prepare himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and he will come up and serve them.
38Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.
39But 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.
40You too, be ready; because the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not think He will.'
41Peter said, 'Lord, are You telling this parable to us, or to everyone else as well?'
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?
43Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.
44Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.
45But if that slave says in his heart, ‘My master will take a long time to come,’ and he begins to beat the other slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk;
46then the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect, and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in two, and assign him a place with the unbelievers.
47And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accordance with his will, will receive many blows,
48but the one who did not know it, and committed acts deserving of a beating, will receive only a few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.
49I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled!
50But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!
51Do you think that I came to provide peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division;
52for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three.
53They 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.'
54And He was also saying to the crowds, 'Whenever you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘A shower is coming,’ and so it turns out.
55And whenever you feel a south wind blowing, you say, ‘It will be a hot day,’ and it turns out that way.
56You hypocrites! You know how to analyze the appearance of the earth and the sky, but how is it that you do not know how to analyze this present time?
King James Version
Chapter 12
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? 25And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? 26If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? 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. 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?
29And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
30For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
31But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
32Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure 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.
34For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
35Let your loins be girded about, and your lights 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.
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.
38And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
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.
40Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
41Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?
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
43Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
44Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
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;
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.
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.
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.
49I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
50But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
51Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
52For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
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.
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.
55And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.
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?
Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 12
24Consider the ravens: They don’t sow or reap; they don’t have a storeroom or a barn; yet God feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than the birds? 25Can any of you add one moment to his life-span by worrying? 26If then you’re not able to do even a little thing, why worry about the rest?
27"Consider how the wildflowers grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these.
28If that’s how God clothes the grass, which is in the field today and is thrown into the furnace tomorrow, how much more will he do for you—you of little faith?
29Don’t strive for what you should eat and what you should drink, and don’t be anxious.
30For the Gentile world eagerly seeks all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.
31"But seek his kingdom, and these things will be provided for you.
32Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights to give you the kingdom.
33Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Make money-bags for yourselves that won’t grow old, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
35"Be ready for service and have your lamps lit.
36You are to be like people waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once.
37Blessed will be those servants the master finds alert when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will get ready, have them recline at the table, then come and serve them.
38If he comes in the middle of the night, or even near dawn, and finds them alert, blessed are those servants.
39But know this: If the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.
40You also be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
42The Lord said: "Who then is the faithful and sensible manager his master will put in charge of his household servants to give them their allotted food at the proper time?
43Blessed is that servant whom the master finds doing his job when he comes.
44Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.
45But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and starts to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk,
46that servant’s master will come on a day he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unfaithful.
47And that servant who knew his master’s will and didn’t prepare himself or do it will be severely beaten.
48But the one who did not know and did what deserved punishment will receive a light beating. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be expected.
49"I came to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already set ablaze!
50But I have a baptism to undergo, and how it consumes me until it is finished!
51Do you think that I came here to bring peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.
52From now on, five in one household will be divided: three against two, and two against three.
54He also said to the crowds: "When you see a cloud rising in the west, right away you say, ‘A storm is coming,’ and so it does.
55And when the south wind is blowing, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is.
56Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why don’t you know how to interpret this present time?
New Living Translation
Chapter 12
24Look 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! 25Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 26And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?
27Look 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.
28And 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 don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things.
30These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs.
31Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.
33Sell 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.
34Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
35Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning,
36as 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.
37The 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!
38He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.
39Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into.
40You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.'
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.
43If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward.
44I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns.
45But 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 will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful.
47And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished.
48But 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.
49I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning!
50I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished.
51Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other!
52From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against — or two in favor and three against.
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.
55When the south wind blows, you say, ‘Today will be a scorcher.’ And it is.
56You 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.
English Standard Version
Chapter 12
24Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
32"Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father 's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
33Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.
34For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
35"Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning,
36and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.
37Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them.
38If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants!
39But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into.
40You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
41Peter said, "Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?"
42And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time?
43Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.
44Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.
45But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk,
46the master of that servant 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 put him with the unfaithful.
47And that servant who knew his master 's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating.
48But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.
49"I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled!
50I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished!
51Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.
52For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three.
53They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."
54He also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens.
55And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens.
56You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?
New International Version
Chapter 12
24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life ? 26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27"Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!
29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.
30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.
31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
32"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.
33Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
35"Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning,
36like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.
37It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.
38It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak.
39But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.
40You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."
42The Lord answered, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time?
43It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns.
44Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.
45But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk.
46The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.
47"The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows.
48But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
49"I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!
50But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed!
51Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.
52From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three.
53They 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."
54He said to the crowd: "When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does.
55And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is.
56Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?
New King James Version
Chapter 12
24Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? 25And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 26If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? 27Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?
29“And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind.
30For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things.
31But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.
32“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
33Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.
34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
35“Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning;
36and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately.
37Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them.
38And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
39But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.
40Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
42And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?
43Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.
44Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.
45But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk,
46the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
47And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
48But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
49“I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!
50But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished!
51Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division.
52For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three.
53Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
54Then He also said to the multitudes, “Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it is.
55And when you see the south wind blow, you say, ‘There will be hot weather’; and there is.
56Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?
