Luke

Against Hypocrisy

Meanwhile, a large crowd had gathered so tightly that they pushed and crushed one another. Then Jesus spoke to his disciples in this way, 

“Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 

Nothing is covered that will not be uncovered; or hidden, that will not be made known. 

Whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in hidden places will be proclaimed from housetops.

I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who can only kill the body and then have nothing more they can do. 

 But I will tell you whom to fear: Fear the one who, after killing you, can throw you into hell. 

This is the one you must fear.

Don’t you buy five sparrows for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 

Even the hairs of your head are numbered. Don’t be afraid! Are you less valuable in God’s eyes than many sparrows?

I tell you, whoever acknowledges me in front of people, the Son of Man will also acknowledge them before God’s angels. 

But the one who denies me in front of others will be denied before God’s angels. 

There will be forgiveness for the one who criticizes the Son of Man, but there will be no forgiveness for the one who slanders the Holy Spirit.

When you are brought before the synagogues, governors, and rulers, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say;

for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you need to say.”

Someone in the crowd spoke to Jesus:

“Master, tell my brother to share with me the family inheritance.” 

He replied: 

“My friend, who has appointed me as your judge or your attorney?” 

Then Jesus said to the people: 

“Be on your guard and avoid all kinds of greed, for even if you possess many things, they are not what give you life.”

And Jesus continued: 

“There was a rich man, and his land produced a good harvest.

He thought, ‘What shall I do, for I am short of room to store my harvest? 

Alright, I know what I shall do: I will pull down my barns and build bigger ones to store all this grain, which is my wealth. 

Then I will say to myself: My friend, you have many good things stored up for many years. Rest, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.’ 

But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night, your life will be taken from you. Tell me, who will get what you have prepared?’ 

This is the fate of the one who stores up riches for himself and is not rich in the eyes of God. 

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you not to worry about your life: What are we to eat? Or about your body: What are we to wear?

For life is more than food and the body more than clothing. 

Look at the crows: they neither sow nor reap; they have no storehouses or barns, yet God feeds them. In fact, you are truly different from birds! 

Which of you, despite your worries, can add a single moment to your life? 

And if you can’t control such a small thing, why worry about the rest?

Look at the wildflowers: they do not spin or weave, but I tell you, even Solomon with all his wealth was not clothed as one of these flowers.

If God so clothes the grass in the fields, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, people of little faith.

Don’t focus on what you’ll eat and drink; stop worrying!

Let all the nations chase after these things; your Father knows you need them. 

Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be provided to you.

Do not be afraid, little flock, because your Father has pleased to give you the kingdom.

Sell what you own and give to charity. Build yourselves purses that do not wear out, and an everlasting treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 

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

Be prepared, dressed for service, and keep your lamps lit 

like people waiting for their master to return from a wedding. When he comes and knocks, they will open the door for him. 

Happy are those servants whom the master finds alert when he arrives. 

Truly, I tell you, he will put on an apron, have them sit at the table, and serve them. Blessed are those servants if he finds them awake when he comes at midnight or dawn!

Pay attention to this: If the homeowner had known when the thief would arrive, he wouldn’t have let his house be broken into. 

You also need to be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you don’t expect.

Peter asked: 

“Lord, did you tell this parable only for us, or for everyone?” 

And the Lord replied: 

“Imagine, then, the wise and faithful steward, whom the master puts in charge of his other servants to give them wheat at the right time. 

Blessed is that servant if his master, upon returning, finds him doing his job.

Truly, I say to you, the master will put him in charge of all his possessions.

But it may be that the steward thinks, ‘My Lord delays in coming,’ and he begins to abuse the male servants and the servant girls, eating, drinking, and getting drunk. 

Then the master will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he doesn’t know. He will cut him off and send him to the same fate as the unfaithful.

The servant who knew his master’s will but did not prepare or do what his master wanted will be severely punished; 

however, the one who unintentionally does what deserves punishment will receive fewer blows. Much will be required of the one who has been given much, and more will be demanded of the one who has been entrusted with more. 

I have come to bring fire on the earth, and I wish it were already ignited! 

But I have a baptism to undergo, and I feel great anguish until it is finished!

Do you think I have come to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.

From now on, a group of five will be divided within each household: three against two, and two against three. 

They will be split between father and son, son and father; mother and daughter, daughter and mother; mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law and mother-in-law.

Jesus said to the crowds: 

“When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming’; and does.

And when the wind blows from the south, you say, ‘It will be hot’; and so it is. 

You superficial people! You understand the signs of the earth and the sky, but you don’t understand the present times. 

And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? 

When you go with your accuser before the court, try to settle the case on the way, so he does not drag you before the judge, and the judge hands you over to the jailer, and the jailer throws you into prison. 

I tell you; you will not get out until you have paid the very last penny.