Luke 12:35-59 ▼

35 Let your loins be girt, and your lamps burning:

36 imitate those servants who stand waiting for their master's return from the wedding, to let him in as soon as he comes to the door.

37 happy those servants, whom the master at his arrival shall find thus watching: I assure you, he shall gird himself, and make them sit at table, and will come to serve them.

38 happy are the servants he finds in such a state, whether it be at the second or at the third watch of the night, when he comes.

39 if the master of a house knew at what hour the thief would come, no doubt he would be on his guard, and not suffer him to break into his house.

40 be ye therefore likewise prepar'd; for the son of man will come, when you least expect him.

41 then Peter said to him, Lord, do you apply this similitude to us, or to all in general?

42 Jesus answered, if there be a faithful prudent steward, appointed by his master to give his domesticks their stated allowance; happy is such a servant,

43 whom his master at his return shall find so employ'd.

44 I assure you, he will intrust him with the management of his whole estate.

45 but if the servant should say within himself, my master delays his return; and fall a beating his fellow-servants, indulging himself in eating and drinking to excess.

46 his master will return on a day he does not expect him, and a an hour he is ignorant of; he will separate him from the rest, and give him a treatment answerable to his infidelity.

47 but the servant, who knows his master's will, and prepares not himself, nor executes his orders, shall receive many stripes.

48 whereas he that does not know it, and does things worthy of chastisement, shall receive fewer stripes, for to whom much is given, of him shall much be required, and the more a man has been trusted, the greater will be the demand.

49 I am come to purify the earth with fire, and how do I wish it were already kindled?

50 the baptism, which I am to undergo, how do I long till it be accomplished?

51 do you imagine that my coming will produce peace on the earth? I tell you, no; but rather division.

52 for the future, if there are five persons in one family, they will be divided; three against two, and two against three.

53 the father will be at variance with his son, and the son with the father: the mother with the daughter, and the daughter with the mother: the mother-in-law with the daughter-in-law, and the daughter-in-law with the mother-in-law.

54 Then he said to the people, when you see a cloud rise out of the west, you say, it is just going to rain; and so it happens.

55 and when the south wind blows, you say, there will be heat; and so it happens.

56 Hypocrites, you can judge of the phoenomena of the earth, and of the sky, but why can't you discern the present times?

57 why can't you judge what is proper to be done in your own affairs.

58 When you are going with your adversary before the magistrate, pay the interest, and get your discharge, while you are on the way; for fear he should bring you before the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into jail.

59 I tell you, you will not get out, till you have paid to the last farthing.