Luke 12:39-59 ▼

39 But be sure of this: if the homeowner had known at what time the thief were coming, he would have watched and would not have let his house be broken into.

40 So be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at a time when you don't expect him.|

41 Peter asked, |Lord, are you telling this parable just for us or for everyone?|

42 The Lord said, |Who, then, is the faithful and careful servant manager whom his master will put in charge of giving all his other servants their share of food at the right time?

43 How blessed is that servant whom his master finds doing this when he comes!

44 I tell you with certainty, he will put him in charge of all his property.

45 But if that servant says to himself, 'My master is taking a long time to come back,' and begins to beat the other servants and to eat, drink, and get drunk,

46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he doesn't expect him and at an hour that he doesn't know. Then his master will punish him severely and assign him a place with unfaithful people.

47 That servant who knew what his master wanted but didn't prepare himself or do what was wanted will receive a severe beating.

48 But the servant who did things that deserved a beating without knowing it will receive a light beating. Much will be required from everyone to whom much has been given. But even more will be demanded from the one to whom much has been entrusted.|

49 |I've come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already ablaze!

50 I have a baptism to be baptized with, and what stress I am under until it's completed!

51 Do you think that I came to bring peace on earth? Not at all, I tell you, but rather division!

52 From now on, five people in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three.

53 They will be divided father against son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.|

54 Then Jesus told the crowds, |When you see a cloud coming in from the west, you immediately say, 'There's going to be a storm,' and that's what happens.

55 When you see a south wind blowing, you say, 'It's going to be hot,' and so it is.

56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, yet you don't know how to interpret the present time?|

57 |Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right?

58 For example, when you go with your opponent in front of a ruler, do your best to settle with him on the way there. Otherwise, you will be dragged in front of the judge, and the judge will hand you over to an officer, and the officer will throw you into prison.

59 I tell you, you will never get out of there until you pay back the last penny!|