1WHEN a large number of people had gathered together, so as to tread on one another, Jesus began to say to his disciples, First of all, Beware you of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2For there is nothing that is covered, that will not be uncovered; and what is hidden that will not be known. 3For whatever you have said in darkness will be heard in the light; and what you have whispered in the ears in the inner chambers will be preached on the housetops.

4I say to you, my friends, Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more they can do. 5But I will show you of whom to be afraid; of him who after he has killed has the power to throw into hell; yes, I say to you, Fear him. 6Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And yet not one of them is lost before God. 7But so far as you are concerned, even the hairs of your head are all numbered; therefore fear not, because you are much more important than many sparrows.

8I say to you, Whoever will acknowledge me before men, the Son of man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. 9But he who denies me before men, I will deny him before the angels of God. 10And whoever says a word against the Son of man, will be forgiven; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11When they bring you to the synagogues before the leaders and authorities, do not worry how you will answer, or what you will say; 12For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what you ought to say.

13And one of the men from the crowd said to him, Teacher, speak to my brother to divide the inheritance with me. 14Jesus said to him, Man, who appointed me a judge or a property divider over you? 15And he said to his disciples, Beware of all covetousness, because life does not depend on abundance of wealth. 16Then he told them a parable. The land of a rich man brought him a great many crops. 17And he reasoned within himself and said, What shall I do, for I have no place to gather my crops? 18So he said, I will do this; I will tear down my barns, and build them and enlarge them; and gather there all my wheat and my good things. 19And I will say to myself, Myself, you have many good things stored up for many years; rest, eat, drink, and be happy. 20But God said to him, O you shortsighted, this very night your life will be demanded of you; and these things which you have prepared, to whom will they he left? 21Such is he who lays up treasures for himself, and is not rich in the things in God.

22And he said to his disciples, Therefore I say to you, Do not worry for your life, what you will eat; nor for your body, what you will wear. 23For the life is much more important than food, and the body than clothing. 24Observe the ravens; for they do not sow nor reap, and they have no storerooms and barns; and yet God feeds them; how much more important are you than the fowls? 25Who is among you, who by worrying, can add to his stature one cubit? 26So if you are not able to do the smaller thing, why do you worry about the rest? 27Observe the flowers, how they grow; for they do not toil nor do they spin; but I say to you, that not even Solomon with all his glory was covered like one of these. 28And if God clothes in such fashion the grass of the field, which today is and tomorrow falls into the fireplace; how much more is he to you, O you of little faith? 29So do not be anxious what you will eat, and what you will drink, and let not your mind be disturbed by these things. 30For worldly people seek after all these things; and your Father knows that these things are also necessary for you. 31But you, seek the kingdom of God; and all of these things shall be added to you. 32Do not be afraid, O little flock; for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.

33Sell your possessions and give them as alms; make for yourselves purses which do not wear out, and a treasure in heaven that does not run short, where the thief does not come near, and moth does not destroy. 34For where your treasure is, there also will be your heart.

35Let your girdle be fastened on your loins, and your lamps lighted. 36And be like men who expect their master, when he will return from the wedding house; so that when he comes and knocks, they will immediately open the door for him. 37Blessed are those servants, whom their master, when he comes, finds awake; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself and make them sit down, and come in, and serve them. 38If he should come in the second or the third watch and find them so, blessed are those servants.

39But know this, that if the master of the house knew at what watch the thief would come, he would have kept awake, and not allowed his house to be plundered. 40Therefore, you also be ready; for the Son of man will come in that very hour which you do not expect.

41Simon Peter said to him, Our Lord, do you speak this parable to us, or also to all men? 42Jesus said to him, Who is the faithful and wise steward, whom his master will appoint over his household, to give supplies in due time? 43Blessed is that servant, whom when his master comes will find him so doing. 44Truly I say to you, that he will appoint him over all his wealth. 45But if that servant should say in his heart, My master has delayed his coming; and begins to beat the servants and maidservants of his master, and then begins to eat and drink and get drunk; 46The master of that servant will come in a day and at an hour that he does not expect or know; and he will severely punish him, and place him with those who are not trustworthy. 47And the servant who knows the wishes of his master, and does not make ready according to his wishes, will receive a severe beating. 48But he who does not know, and does what is worthy of punishment will receive less beating. For to whomever more is given, of him more will be required; and to whom much is entrusted, more will be required of his hand.

49I came to set the earth on fire; and I wish to do it, if it has not already been kindled. 50I have a baptism to be baptized with; and I am oppressed until it is fulfilled. 51Do you think that I have come to bring peace on earth? I say to you, No, but divisions; 52For from henceforth there will be five in a house, who will be divided, three against two, and two against three. 53For a father will be divided against his son, and a son against his father; a mother against her daughter, and a daughter against her mother; a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

54And he said to the people, When you see a cloud rise from the west, you immediately say, It will rain; and it is so. 55And when the wind blows from the south, you say, It will be hot; and it is so. 56O you hypocrites, you know how to discern the face of the earth and of the sky; how then is it that you do not discern this time?

57Why do you not of yourselves judge what is right? 58For when you go with your accuser to the district leader, while you are on the way give something and settle with him; otherwise he might take you to the judge, and the judge will deliver you to the prison warden, and the prison warden will throw you in prison. 59Truly I say to you, you will not come out from thence, until you pay the last penny.