Luke 12:1-21 ▼

1 Meanwhile, the people had gathered by the thousands and were trampling on one another. Jesus began to speak first to his disciples. |Watch out for the yeast—that is, the hypocrisy—of the Pharisees!

2 There is nothing covered up that won't be exposed and nothing secret that won't be made known.

3 Therefore, what you have said in darkness will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in private rooms will be shouted from the housetops.|

4 |But I tell you, my friends, never be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can't do anything more.

5 I'll show you the one you should be afraid of. Be afraid of the one who has the authority to throw you into hell after killing you. Yes, I tell you, be afraid of him!

6 |Five sparrows are sold for two pennies, aren't they? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.

7 Why, even all the hairs on your head have been counted! Stop being afraid. You are worth more than a bunch of sparrows.|

8 |But I tell you, the Son of Man will acknowledge before God's angels everyone who acknowledges me before people.

9 But whoever denies me before people will be denied before God's angels.

10 Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the person who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit won't be forgiven.

11 When people bring you before synagogue leaders, rulers, or authorities, don't worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say,

12 because at that time the Holy Spirit will teach you what you are to say.|

13 Then someone in the crowd told him, |Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.|

14 But Jesus asked him, |Mister, who appointed me to be a judge or arbitrator over you people?|

15 Then he told them, |Be careful to guard yourselves against every kind of greed, because a person's life doesn't consist of the amount of possessions he has.|

16 Then he told them a parable. He said, |The land of a certain rich man produced good crops.

17 So he began to think to himself, 'What should I do, since I have no place to store my crops?'

18 Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and I'll store all my grain and goods in them.

19 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.|'

20 But God told him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded back from you. Now who will get the things you've accumulated?'

21 That's how it is with the person who stores up treasures for himself rather than with God.|