Luke 12:1-28 ▼

1 In the mean time thousands of people being gather'd about him, so as to trample upon one another, he first address'd himself thus to his disciples, beware of the corrupt doctrine of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

2 for there is nothing conceal'd, which shall not be disclos'd; nothing secret, which shall not be made publick.

3 whatever you have utter'd in the dark, shall be brought to light: and what you have whisper'd in a closet, shall be proclaim'd upon the house top.

4 As for you, my friends, be not afraid of those, who can kill the body, and after that can effect nothing more.

5 but I will inform you whom you should fear: fear him, who after he has kill'd, has power to precipitate into hell; yes, I advise you, fear him.

6 are not five sparrows sold for two pence? however the divine providence extends to each of them.

7 nay, the very hairs of your head can't fall without being number'd: be not then afraid; there is no comparison between you and sparrows.

8 moreover I declare unto you, whoever shall acknowledge me before men, him shall the son of man also own before the angels of God.

9 but whoever shall renounce me before men, he shall be renounc'd before the angels of God.

10 and whoever shall cast a reflection upon the son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but as for him, that shall blaspheme the holy spirit, it shall not be forgiven.

11 when you are brought into the synagogues, and before magistrates and rulers, be not sollicitous what to say in your own defence;

12 for the holy spirit shall instruct you on the very occasion, what is proper to be said.

13 Then one of the company said to him, order my brother to give me my share of our inheritance.

14 but Jesus answer'd him, who made me a judge, or an arbitrator between you?

15 then he said to them, take care to be clear of all avarice: for the enjoyment of life does not depend upon the having large possessions.

16 to which purpose he propos'd to them this parable: a rich man had some land that was very fruitful.

17 and thus he reason'd with himself, what shall I do for want of room to store up my crop?

18 this will I do, said he, I will pull down my barns, and build greater: and there I will bestow all my rich product.

19 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.

20 but God said to him, thou fool, this night shall thy soul be required of thee: who then shall enjoy what thou hast provided?

21 such is he, who heaps up his treasure here, and makes no provision for another world.

22 Wherefore (said he to his disciples,) be not sollicitous for your life, what ye shall eat; nor for the body, what ye shall put on.

23 the life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.

24 consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap: nor have cellar or barn: are not you of much greater value than the fowls?

25 but which of you, with all his disquietude, can add one moment to the period of his life?

26 if then you can't effect so small a matter, why are you disquieted about a much longer time?

27 consider the lillys how they grow: they neither toil nor spin: and yet, I tell you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

28 now if God thus cloaths the flowers, which exist to-day in the field, and to-morrow are thrown into the oven: how much more will he cloath you, O distrustful men?