Luke 12:19
New International Version
And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry."’

New Living Translation
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!”’

English Standard Version
And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’

Berean Standard Bible
Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!”’

Berean Literal Bible
And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many good things laid up for many years; take your rest; eat, drink, be merry."'

King James Bible
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

New King James Version
And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’

New American Standard Bible
And I will say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years to come; relax, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself!”’

NASB 1995
And 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."’

NASB 1977
‘And 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.”’

Legacy Standard Bible
And 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.”’

Amplified Bible
And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many good things stored up, [enough] for many years; rest and relax, eat, drink and be merry (celebrate continually).”’

Christian Standard Bible
Then I’ll say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.” ’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then I’ll say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself."’

American Standard Version
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, be merry.

Contemporary English Version
Then I'll say to myself, 'You have stored up enough good things to last for years to come. Live it up! Eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.'"

English Revised Version
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, be merry.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then I'll say to myself, "You've stored up a lot of good things for years to come. Take life easy, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself."'

Good News Translation
Then I will say to myself, Lucky man! You have all the good things you need for many years. Take life easy, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself!'

International Standard Version
Then I'll say to myself, "You've stored up plenty of good things for many years. Take it easy, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself."'

Majority Standard Bible
Then I will say to myself, ?You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!??

NET Bible
And I will say to myself, "You have plenty of goods stored up for many years; relax, eat, drink, celebrate!"'

New Heart English Bible
I will tell my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, be merry."'

Webster's Bible Translation
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast abundance of goods laid up for many years; take thy ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

Weymouth New Testament
and I will say to my life, "'Life, you have ample possessions laid up for many years to come: take your ease, eat, drink, enjoy yourself.'

World English Bible
I will tell my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry.”’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and I will say to my soul, Soul, you have many good things laid up for many years, be resting, eat, drink, be merry.

Berean Literal Bible
And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many good things laid up for many years; take your rest; eat, drink, be merry."'

Young's Literal Translation
and I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast many good things laid up for many years, be resting, eat, drink, be merry.

Smith's Literal Translation
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast many good things laid up for many years; rest, eat, drink, be gladdened.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And I will say to my soul: Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years take thy rest; eat, drink, make good cheer.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I will say to my soul: Soul, you have many goods, stored up for many years. Relax, eat, drink, and be cheerful.’

New American Bible
and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!” ’

New Revised Standard Version
And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And I will say to myself, Myself, you have many good things stored up for many years; rest, eat, drink, and be happy.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And I shall say to my soul, 'My soul, you have many goods laid up for many years, be contented, eat, drink and be merry.' “
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
and I will say to my soul: Soul, you have many good things laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.

Godbey New Testament
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, be merry.

Haweis New Testament
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast a multitude of good things in store for many years, be at ease, eat, drink, and be merry!

Mace New Testament
then I will say to my soul, soul, you have many enjoyments in reserve for a number of years; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

Weymouth New Testament
and I will say to my life, "'Life, you have ample possessions laid up for many years to come: take your ease, eat, drink, enjoy yourself.'

Worrell New Testament
And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have much goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.'

Worsley New Testament
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast plenty of goods laid up for many years, take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Rich Fool
18Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and will build bigger ones, and there I will store up all my grain and my goods. 19Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ 20But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’…

Cross References
Ecclesiastes 8:15
So I commended the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be merry. For this joy will accompany him in his labor during the days of his life that God gives him under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 11:9
Rejoice, O young man, while you are young, and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment.

James 5:5
You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in the day of slaughter.

1 Timothy 6:17
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.

Proverbs 27:1
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

1 Corinthians 15:32
If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for human motives, what did I gain? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”

Isaiah 22:13
But look, there is joy and gladness, butchering of cattle and slaughtering of sheep, eating of meat and drinking of wine: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”

Matthew 6:19-21
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Proverbs 23:4-5
Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself. / When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.

Philippians 3:19
Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.

Psalm 49:18-19
Though in his lifetime he blesses his soul—and men praise you when you prosper— / he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of day.

Revelation 3:17
You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.

Jeremiah 22:21
I warned you when you were secure. You said, ‘I will not listen.’ This has been your way from youth, that you have not obeyed My voice.

Amos 6:1-6
Woe to those at ease in Zion and those secure on Mount Samaria, the distinguished ones of the foremost nation, to whom the house of Israel comes. / Cross over to Calneh and see; go from there to the great Hamath; then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are you better than these kingdoms? Is their territory larger than yours? / You dismiss the day of calamity and bring near a reign of violence. ...

1 Thessalonians 5:3
While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.


Treasury of Scripture

And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have much goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

Soul.

Deuteronomy 6:11,12
And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full; …

Deuteronomy 8:12-14
Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; …

Job 31:24,25
If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; …

for.

Job 14:1
Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.

Proverbs 27:1
Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

James 4:13-15
Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: …

take.

Luke 16:19
There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

Luke 21:34
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

Job 21:11-13
They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance…

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Abundance Amount Ample Drink Ease Eat Enjoy Enough Food Good Goods Great Happy I'll Laid Merry Plenty Possessions Repose Rest Resting Soul Store Thyself Wine
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Luke 12
1. Jesus preaches to his apostles to avoid hypocrisy
13. and warns against covetousness, by the parable of the man who set up greater barns.
22. We must not worry about earthly things,
31. but seek the kingdom of God;
33. give alms;
35. be ready at a knock to open to our Lord whensoever he comes.
41. Jesus' disciples are to see to their charges,
49. and look for persecution.
54. The people must take this time of grace;
57. because it is a fearful thing to die without reconciliation.














And I will say to myself
This phrase introduces a soliloquy, a moment of introspection where the rich man speaks to his own soul. The Greek word for "myself" here is "psyche," which can also mean "soul" or "life." This reflects a deeper conversation with one's inner being, highlighting the self-centered nature of the rich man's thoughts. In the biblical context, speaking to one's soul often implies a moment of significant decision or realization, yet here it is misguided.

You have plenty of good things laid up for many years
The phrase "plenty of good things" indicates material wealth and abundance. The Greek word "agatha" for "good things" suggests not just material possessions but things perceived as beneficial or desirable. Historically, wealth was often seen as a sign of God's blessing, yet Jesus challenges this notion by showing that spiritual wealth is far more important. The phrase "laid up for many years" reflects a false sense of security and self-reliance, ignoring the transient nature of life and the sovereignty of God over time.

Take it easy
This phrase is a call to rest and relaxation, derived from the Greek "anapauo," meaning to cease from labor or to refresh oneself. It reflects a hedonistic attitude, prioritizing comfort and ease over spiritual vigilance. In the broader scriptural context, true rest is found in God, not in earthly possessions or achievements.

eat, drink, and be merry
This triad of actions—eating, drinking, and being merry—captures the essence of a hedonistic lifestyle focused on immediate gratification. The phrase echoes similar sentiments found in Ecclesiastes and other ancient literature, where the futility of such a life is often highlighted. In the conservative Christian perspective, this lifestyle is contrasted with a life of purpose and service to God, emphasizing that true joy and fulfillment come from a relationship with Him, not from indulgence in worldly pleasures.

(19) Eat, drink, and be merry.--The words remind us of St. Paul's "Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die" (1Corinthians 15:32), and may possibly have suggested them. There is, however, a suggestive difference in the context. Extremes meet, and the life of self-indulgence may spring either from an undue expectation of a lengthened life, or from unduly dwelling on the fact of its shortness, without taking into account the judgment that comes after it. The latter, as in the "carpe diem" of Horace (Odes, i. 11, 8), was the current language of popular Epicureanism; the former seems to have been more characteristic of a corrupt Judaism. (Comp. James 4:13.) In acting on it the Jew with his far outlook, as he dreamt, into the future, was sinking to the level of the dissolute heathen, who was content to live in and for the present only.

Verse 19. - And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years. "What folly!" writes St. Basil. "Had thy soul been a sty, what else couldst thou have promised to it? Art thou so ignorant of what really belongs to the soul, that thou offerest to it the foods of the body? And givest thou to thy soul the things which the draught receives?" Many years. How little did that poor fool, so wise in all matters of earthly business, suspect the awful doom was so close to him! He forgot Solomon's words, "Boast not thyself of to-morrow" (Proverbs 27:1). Take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. "Extremes meet," suggests Dean Plumptre; "and the life of self-indulgence may spring either from an undue expectation of a lengthened life" (as was the case here), "or from unduly dwelling on its shortness, without taking into account the judgment that comes after it. The latter, as in the 'carpe diem' of Horace ('Odes,' 1:11. 8), was the current language of popular epicureanism" (see St. Paul's reproduction of this thought, 1 Corinthians 15:32); "the former seems to have been more characteristic of a corrupt Judaism."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Then
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

I will say
ἐρῶ (erō)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2046: Probably a fuller form of rheo; an alternate for epo in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. Speak or say.

to
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

myself,
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

“You
Ψυχή (Psychē)
Noun - Vocative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5590: From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely.

have
ἔχεις (echeis)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

plenty of
πολλὰ (polla)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4183: Much, many; often.

good things
ἀγαθὰ (agatha)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 18: A primary word; 'good'.

laid up
κείμενα (keimena)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2749: To lie, recline, be placed, be laid, set, specially appointed, destined. Middle voice of a primary verb; to lie outstretched.

for
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

many
πολλά (polla)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4183: Much, many; often.

years.
ἔτη (etē)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2094: A year. Apparently a primary word; a year.

Take it easy.
ἀναπαύου (anapauou)
Verb - Present Imperative Middle - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 373: From ana and pauo; to repose (be exempt), remain); by implication, to refresh.

Eat,
φάγε (phage)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 5315: A primary verb; to eat.

drink,
πίε (pie)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4095: To drink, imbibe. A prolonged form of pio, which poo occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses; to imbibe.

[and] be merry!”’
εὐφραίνου (euphrainou)
Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2165: From eu and phren; to put in a good frame of mind, i.e. Rejoice.


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NT Gospels: Luke 12:19 I will tell my soul Soul you (Luke Lu Lk)
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