12 Meanwhile so many thousands of people had gathered that they were trampling on each other. Jesus began saying to his disciples first of all, “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed; nothing hidden that will not be known. 3 Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and whatever you whispered in private will be shouted from the rooftops.
    4 “I say to you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who can kill the body, because after that there is nothing more they can do. 5 Let me warn you who you should fear: Fear the One who after killing, has the authority to throw into Gehenna-fire.[418] Yes, I tell you, fear Him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one sparrow is forgotten in God’s sight. 7 Even the hairs on your head have been counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows!
    8 “I say to you, everyone who confesses me before people, the Son of Man will confess them before the angels of God,  9 but whoever denies me before people will be denied before the angels of God. 10 Everyone who speaks against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the holy spirit[419] will not be forgiven.  11 When they bring you before synagogues and leaders and authorities, do not worry about what to say in your defense,  12 because the holy spirit will instruct you at that time what you should say.”
    13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.”  14 But Jesus replied, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 Then Jesus said to the people, “Be careful to avoid all greedy thoughts and actions, because a person’s life is not made up of how many possessions they have, even if they are rich.”  16 He told them a parable.[420] “There was a rich man whose land was very productive,” he began.  17 “The man thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, because I have nowhere to store my crops.’  18 He decided, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my possessions. 19 Then I will say to myself, “Self, you have enough for many years, so take it easy, eat, drink and have fun!’” 20 But God said to him, ‘Foolish man! This very night your life will be demanded of you, and then who will get everything you have stored up?’  21 That is what it is like for people who collect wealth for themselves but are not rich toward God.”
    22 He said to his disciples, “That is why I am telling you, do not worry about life — about what to eat, or what clothes to put on your body. 23 Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.  24 Consider the crows: they do not sow or reap, have no storeroom or barn, but God feeds them. You are much more valuable than birds! 25 And can any of you live even a little longer by worrying about it?  26 If you cannot do anything about these things, why worry about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies and how they grow: they do not work hard or spin yarn. But I am telling you, not even Solomon in all his glory was as beautifully dressed as they are. 28 And if God clothes wildflowers growing in a field so beautifully, which are here today but tomorrow are thrown in a furnace, how much more will He clothe you, you who have little faith?  29 So do not be preoccupied about what you are going to eat or drink, and do not be anxious. 30 These are the things that everybody in the world seeks, and your Father knows you need them. 31 But seek His Kingdom,[421] and these things will be provided for you.  32 Do not be afraid, little flock, because your Father is delighted to give you the Kingdom. [422]
    33 “Sell what you have and give to the poor. Make yourselves money bags which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure stored up in heaven,[423] where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
    35 “Be ready for action, and keep your lamps burning. 36 Be like servants waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast, ready to open the door quickly for him when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master will find on the alert when he comes. I am telling you the truth: he will get himself ready, have them sit down for a meal, and come and serve them. 38 Even if he comes in the middle of the night, or just before dawn, they will be blessed if he finds them watching.
    39 “Remember this: if the head of the house knew what time a thief was coming, he would not allow his house to be broken into.  40 In the same way you should be ready, because the Son of Man will come at a time you do not expect.”
    41 Peter asked, “lord, are you directing this parable to us, or to everyone else as well?” 42 The lord said, “So who is the trustworthy and wise supervisor, the one his master puts in charge of his servants, to share out their food allowance at the right time? 43 Blessed is that servant when his master comes and finds him doing as he should. 44 I am telling you the truth: the master will put him in charge of everything he has. [424] 45 But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master will take his time in returning,’ and begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to feast and get drunk,  46 then that servant’s master will return unexpectedly one day, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers. 47 A servant who knew what his master wanted, and yet did not prepare or carry out his instructions, will be severely beaten; 48 but the servant who did not know, but did things deserving punishment, will be beaten only lightly. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, and from anyone who is entrusted with much, more will be expected.
    49 “I came to bring fire to the earth, and I wish it was already burning! 50 But I have a baptism to go through, and how I am suffering until it is accomplished! 51 Do you think that I came to bring peace on earth? No, I am telling you that I bring division. 52 From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father; mother against daughter and daughter against mother; mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
    54 To the crowds, Jesus said, “When you see a cloud coming up in the west you immediately say, ‘A shower is coming,’ and so it does. 55 And when a south wind blows, you say, ‘It will be a hot day,’ and it is. 56 You hypocrites, how is it that you know how to analyze the earth and sky, but you do not analyze this present time?
    57 “Why do you not judge for yourselves and decide what is right? 58 It is as if you are going with your opponent to a magistrate. While on the way you should be working to settle the matter so that you will not be dragged before the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.  59 I tell you, you will not get out of there until you have paid the very last penny.”