Luke.12.1

By this time the crowd, unwieldy and stepping on each other's toes, numbered into the thousands. But Jesus' primary concern was his disciples. He said to them, "Watch yourselves carefully so you don't get contaminated with Pharisee yeast, Pharisee phoniness.

Luke.12.1

Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

Luke.12.1

In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

Luke.12.1

Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and crushing each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees--beware of their hypocrisy.

Luke.12.2

You can't keep your true self hidden forever; before long you'll be exposed. You can't hide behind a religious mask forever; sooner or later the mask will slip and your true face will be known.

Luke.12.2

There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.

Luke.12.2

For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.

Luke.12.2

The time is coming when everything will be revealed; all that is secret will be made public.

Luke.12.3

You can't whisper one thing in private and preach the opposite in public; the day's coming when those whispers will be repeated all over town.

Luke.12.3

What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

Luke.12.3

Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.

Luke.12.3

Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!

Luke.12.4

"I'm speaking to you as dear friends. Don't be bluffed into silence or insincerity by the threats of religious bullies. True, they can kill you, but then what can they do? There's nothing they can do to your soul, your core being.

Luke.12.4

"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.

Luke.12.4

"And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

Luke.12.4

"Dear friends, don't be afraid of those who want to kill you. They can only kill the body; they cannot do any more to you.

Luke.12.5

Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life--body and soul--in his hands.

Luke.12.5

But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

Luke.12.5

But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!

Luke.12.5

But I'll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill people and then throw them into hell.

Luke.12.6

"What's the price of two or three pet canaries? Some loose change, right? But God never overlooks a single one.

Luke.12.6

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.

Luke.12.6

"Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God.

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"What is the price of five sparrows? A couple of pennies? Yet God does not forget a single one of them.

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And he pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail--even numbering the hairs on your head! So don't be intimidated by all this bully talk. You're worth more than a million canaries.

Luke.12.7

Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Luke.12.7

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Luke.12.7

And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows.

Luke.12.8

"Stand up for me among the people you meet and the Son of Man will stand up for you before all God's angels.

Luke.12.8

"I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God.

Luke.12.8

"Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God.

Luke.12.8

"And I assure you of this: If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I, the Son of Man, will openly acknowledge that person in the presence of God's angels.

Luke.12.9

But if you pretend you don't know me, do you think I'll defend you before God's angels?

Luke.12.9

But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God.

Luke.12.9

But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.

Luke.12.9

But if anyone denies me here on earth, I will deny that person before God's angels.

Luke.12.10

"If you bad-mouth the Son of Man out of misunderstanding or ignorance, that can be overlooked. But if you're knowingly attacking God himself, taking aim at the Holy Spirit, that won't be overlooked.

Luke.12.10

And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

Luke.12.10

"And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.

Luke.12.10

Yet those who speak against the Son of Man may be forgiven, but anyone who speaks blasphemies against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven.

Luke.12.11

"When they drag you into their meeting places, or into police courts and before judges, don't worry about defending yourselves--what you'll say or how you'll say it.

Luke.12.11

"When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say,

Luke.12.11

"Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say.

Luke.12.11

"And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don't worry about what to say in your defense,

Luke.12.12

The right words will be there. The Holy Spirit will give you the right words when the time comes."

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for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say."

Luke.12.12

For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."

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for the Holy Spirit will teach you what needs to be said even as you are standing there."

Luke.12.13

Someone out of the crowd said, "Teacher, order my brother to give me a fair share of the family inheritance."

Luke.12.13

Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."

Luke.12.13

Then one from the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."

Luke.12.13

Then someone called from the crowd, "Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father's estate with me."

Luke.12.14

He replied, "Mister, what makes you think it's any of my business to be a judge or mediator for you?"

Luke.12.14

Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?"

Luke.12.14

But He said to him, "Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?"

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Jesus replied, "Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?"

Luke.12.15

Speaking to the people, he went on, "Take care! Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot."

Luke.12.15

Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

Luke.12.15

And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses."

Luke.12.15

Then he said, "Beware! Don't be greedy for what you don't have. Real life is not measured by how much we own."

Luke.12.16

Then he told them this story: "The farm of a certain rich man produced a terrific crop.

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And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop.

Luke.12.16

Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully.

Luke.12.16

And he gave an illustration: "A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops.

Luke.12.17

He talked to himself: "What can I do? My barn isn't big enough for this harvest.'

Luke.12.17

He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'

Luke.12.17

And he thought within himself, saying, "What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?'

Luke.12.17

In fact, his barns were full to overflowing.

Luke.12.18

Then he said, "Here's what I'll do: I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll gather in all my grain and goods,

Luke.12.18

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

Luke.12.18

So he said, "I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods.

Luke.12.18

So he said, 'I know! I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll have room enough to store everything.

Luke.12.19

and I'll say to myself, Self, you've done well! You've got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life!'

Luke.12.19

And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry."'

Luke.12.19

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."'

Luke.12.19

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!'

Luke.12.20

"Just then God showed up and said, "Fool! Tonight you die. And your barnful of goods--who gets it?'

Luke.12.20

"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'

Luke.12.20

But God said to him, "Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?'

Luke.12.20

"But God said to him, 'You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get it all?'

Luke.12.21

"That's what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God."

Luke.12.21

"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."

Luke.12.21

"So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

Luke.12.21

"Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God."

Luke.12.22

He continued this subject with his disciples. "Don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion.

Luke.12.22

Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.

Luke.12.22

Then He said to His disciples, "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on.

Luke.12.22

Then turning to his disciples, Jesus said, "So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life--whether you have enough food to eat or clothes to wear.

Luke.12.23

There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body.

Luke.12.23

Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.

Luke.12.23

Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.

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For life consists of far more than food and clothing.

Luke.12.24

Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more.

Luke.12.24

Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!

Luke.12.24

Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?

Luke.12.24

Look at the ravens. They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!

Luke.12.25

"Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch?

Luke.12.25

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

Luke.12.25

And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

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Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not!

Luke.12.26

If fussing can't even do that, why fuss at all?

Luke.12.26

Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

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If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?

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And if worry can't do little things like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things?

Luke.12.27

Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don't fuss with their appearance--but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

Luke.12.27

"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

Luke.12.27

Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Luke.12.27

"Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.

Luke.12.28

If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?

Luke.12.28

If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!

Luke.12.28

If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?

Luke.12.28

And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith!

Luke.12.29

"What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving.

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And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.

Luke.12.29

"And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind.

Luke.12.29

And don't worry about food--what to eat and drink. Don't worry whether God will provide it for you.

Luke.12.30

People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works.

Luke.12.30

For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.

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For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things.

Luke.12.30

These things dominate the thoughts of most people, but your Father already knows your needs.

Luke.12.31

Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Luke.12.31

But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

Luke.12.31

But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

Luke.12.31

He will give you all you need from day to day if you make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.

Luke.12.32

Don't be afraid of missing out. You're my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.

Luke.12.32

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

Luke.12.32

"Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Luke.12.32

"So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.

Luke.12.33

"Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can't go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bankrobbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on.

Luke.12.33

Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.

Luke.12.33

Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.

Luke.12.33

"Sell what you have and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven have no holes in them. Your treasure will be safe--no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it.

Luke.12.34

It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.

Luke.12.34

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Luke.12.34

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Luke.12.34

Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.