Month: February 2020

Many Women Support Christ’s Work

1 Soon afterward He was traveling from one town and village to another,preaching and telling the good news of the kingdom of God.The Twelve were with Him,

2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses:Mary, called Magdalene (seven demons had come outof her);

3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others who were supporting them from their possessions.

The Parable of the Sower

4 As a large crowd was gathering, and people were flocking to Him from every town, He said in a parable:

5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. As he was sowing, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the sky ate it up.

6 Other seed fell on the rock; when it sprang up, it withered, since it lacked moisture.

7 Other seed fell among thorns; the thorns sprang up with it and choked it.

8 Still other seed fell on good ground; when it sprang up, it produced a crop: 100 times what was sown.”As He said this, He called out,“Anyone who has ears to hear should listen! ”

Why Jesus Used Parables

9 Then His disciples asked Him, “What does this parable mean? ”

10 So He said,“The secrets of the kingdom of God have been given for youto know, but to the rest it is in parables, so that

Looking they may not see,

and hearing they may not understand.

The Parable of the Sower Explained

11 “This is the meaning of the parable:The seed is the word of God.

12 The seed along the path are those who have heard and then the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.

13 And the seed on the rock are those who, when they hear, welcome the word with joy. Having no root, these believe for a while and depart in a time of testing.

14 As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who, when they have heard, go on their way and are choked with worries, riches, and pleasures of life,and produce no mature fruit.

15 But the seed in the good ground — these are the ones who,having heard the word with an honest and good heart, hold on to it and by enduring,bear fruit.

Using Your Light

16 “No one, after lighting a lamp,covers it with a basket or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand so that those who come in may see its light.

17 For nothing is concealed that won’t be revealed, and nothing hidden that won’t be made known and come to light.

18 Therefore take care how you listen. For whoever has, more will be given to him;and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”

True Relationships

19 Then His mother and brotherscame to Him,but they could not meet with Him because of the crowd.

20 He was told, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see You.”

21 But He replied to them,“My mother and My brothers are those who hear and do the word of God.”

Wind and Wave Obey the Master

22 One day He and His disciples got into a boat,and He told them,“Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.”So they set out,

23 and as they were sailing He fell asleep. Then a fierce windstorm came down on the lake; they were being swamped and were in danger.

24 They came and woke Him up, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to die! ” Then He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves. So they ceased, and there was a calm.

25 He said to them,“Where is your faith? ”

They were fearful and amazed, asking one another, “Who can this be?He commands even the winds and the waves, and they obey Him! ”

Demons Driven Out by the Master

26 Then they sailed to the region of the Gerasenes,which is opposite Galilee.

27 When He got out on land, a demon-possessed man from the town met Him. For a long time he had worn no clothes and did not stay in a house but in the tombs.

28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out,fell down before Him, and said in a loud voice, “What do You have to do with me,Jesus, You Son of the Most High God?I beg You, don’t torment me! ”

29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was guarded, bound by chains and shackles, he would snap the restraints and be driven by the demon into deserted places.

30 “What is your name? ”Jesus asked him.

“Legion,”he said — because many demons had entered him.

31 And they begged Him not to banish them to the abyss.

32 A large herd of pigs was there, feeding on the hillside. The demons begged Him to permit them to enter the pigs, and He gave them permission.

33 The demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned.

34 When the men who tended them saw what had happened, they ran off and reported it in the town and in the countryside.

35 Then people went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man the demons had departed from, sitting at Jesus’ feet,dressed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.

36 Meanwhile, the eyewitnesses reported to them how the demon-possessed man was delivered.

37 Then all the people of the Gerasene regionasked Him to leave them,because they were gripped by great fear. So getting into the boat, He returned.

38 The man from whom the demons had departed kept begging Him to be with Him. But He sent him away and said,

39 “Go back to your home, and tell all that God has done for you.”And off he went, proclaiming throughout the town all that Jesus had done for him.

A Girl Restored and a Woman Healed

40 When Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed Him,for they were all expecting Him.

41 Just then, a man named Jairus came. He was a leader of the synagogue.He fell down at Jesus’ feet and pleaded with Him to come to his house,

42 because he had an only daughterabout 12 years old, and she was at death’s door.

While He was going, the crowds were nearly crushing Him.

43 A woman suffering from bleedingfor 12 years,who had spent all she had on doctorsyet could not be healed by any,

44 approached from behind and touched the tassel of His robe.Instantly her bleeding stopped.

45 “Who touched Me? ”Jesus asked.

When they all denied it, Petersaid, “Master,the crowds are hemming You in and pressing against You.”

46 “Someone did touch Me,”said Jesus.“I know that power has gone out from Me.”

47 When the woman saw that she was discovered,she came trembling and fell down before Him. In the presence of all the people, she declared the reason she had touched Him and how she was instantly cured.

48 “Daughter,”He said to her,“your faith has made you well.Go in peace.”

49 While He was still speaking,someone came from the synagogue leader’s house, saying, “Your daughter is dead. Don’t botherthe Teacheranymore.”

50 When Jesus heard it, He answered him,“Don’t be afraid. Only believe, and she will be made well.”

51 After He came to the house, He let no one enter with Him except Peter, John, James,and the child’s father and mother.

52 Everyone was cryingand mourning for her.But He said,“Stop crying, for she is not dead but asleep.”

53 They started laughing at Him, because they knew she was dead.

54 So Hetook her by the handand called out,“Child, get up! ”

55 Her spirit returned,and she got up at once. Then He gave orders that she be given something to eat.

56 Her parents were astounded, but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/LUK/8-137b752b1b1b31618ef8c5373b489c33.mp3?version_id=72—

Commissioning the Twelve

1 Summoning the Twelve,He gave them power and authority over all the demons, and power to healdiseases.

2 Then He sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

3 “Take nothing for the road,”He told them,“no walking stick,no traveling bag, no bread, no money; and don’t take an extra shirt.

4 Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there.

5 If they do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”

6 So they went out and traveled from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing everywhere.

Herod’s Desire to See Jesus

7 Herod the tetrarchheard about everything that was going on.He was perplexed, because some said that John had been raised from the dead,

8 some that Elijah had appeared,and others that one of the ancient prophets had risen.

9 “I beheaded John,” Herod said, “but who is this I hear such things about? ” And he wanted to see Him.

Feeding 5,000

10 When the apostles returned,they reported to Jesus all that they had done.He took them along and withdrew privately to atown called Bethsaida.

11 When the crowds found out, they followed Him. He welcomed them,spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and curedthose who needed healing.

12 Late in the day,the Twelve approached and said to Him, “Send the crowd away,so they can go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find food and lodging, because we are in a deserted place here.”

13 “You give them something to eat,”He told them.

“We have no more than five loavesand two fish,” they said, “unless we go and buy food for all these people.”

14 (For about 5,000 men were there.)

Then He told His disciples,“Have them sit downin groups of about 50 each.”

15 They did so, and had them all sit down.

16 Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven,He blessed and broke them.He kept giving them to the disciples to set before the crowd.

17 Everyone ate and was filled. Then they picked up12 baskets of leftover pieces.

Peter’s Confession of the Messiah

18 While He was praying in privateand His disciples were with Him, He asked them,“Who do the crowds say that I am? ”

19 They answered, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, that one of the ancient prophets has come back.”

20 “But you,”He asked them,“who do you say that I am? ”

Peter answered, “God’s Messiah! ”

His Death and Resurrection Predicted

21 But He strictly warned and instructed them to tell this to no one,

22 saying,“The Son of Manmust suffer many thingsand be rejectedby the elders, chief priests, and scribes,be killed, and be raised the third day.”

Take Up Your Cross

23 Then He said to them all,“If anyone wants to come withMe, he must deny himself,take up his cross daily,and follow Me.

24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will save it.

25 What is a man benefited if he gains the whole world, yet loses or forfeits himself?

26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words,the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His gloryand that of the Father and the holy angels.

27 I tell you the truth: There are some standing here who will not taste deathuntil they see the kingdom of God.”

The Transfiguration

28 About eight days after these words,He took along Peter, John, and Jamesand went up on the mountain to pray.

29 As He was praying, the appearance of His face changed,and His clothes became dazzling white.

30 Suddenly, two men were talking with Him — Moses and Elijah.

31 They appeared in glory and were speaking of His death,which He was about to accomplish in Jerusalem.

32 Peter and those with him were in a deep sleep,and when they became fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who were standing with Him.

33 As the two men were departing from Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master,it’s good for us to be here! Let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” — not knowing what he said.

34 While he was saying this, a cloud appeared and overshadowedthem. They became afraid as they entered the cloud.

35 Then a voice came from the cloud,saying:

This is My Son,the Chosen One;

listen to Him!

36 After the voice had spoken, only Jesus was found. They kept silent, and in those days told no one what they had seen.

The Power of Faith over a Demon

37 The next day,when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met Him.

38 Just then a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg You to look at my son, because he’s my only child.

39 Often a spirit seizes him; suddenly he shrieks, and it throws him into convulsions until he foams at the mouth;woundinghim, it hardly ever leaves him.

40 I begged Your disciples to drive it out, but they couldn’t.”

41 Jesus replied,“You unbelieving and rebelliousgeneration!How long will I be with you and put up with you?Bring your son here.”

42 As the boy was still approaching, the demon knocked him down and threw him into severe convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, cured the boy,and gave him back to his father.

43 And they were all astonished at the greatness of God.

The Second Prediction of His Death

While everyone was amazed at all the things He was doing,He told His disciples,

44 “Let these words sink in:The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.”

45 But they did not understand this statement;it was concealed from them so that they could not grasp it,and they were afraid to ask Him about it.

Who Is the Greatest?

46 Then an argument started among them about who would be the greatest of them.

47 But Jesus, knowing the thoughts of their hearts,took a little child and had him stand next to Him.

48 He told them,“Whoever welcomesthis little child in My name welcomes Me. And whoever welcomes Me welcomes Him who sent Me.For whoever is least among you — this one is great.”

In His Name

49 John responded,“Master, we saw someone driving out demons in Your name,and we tried to stop him because he does not follow us.”

50 “Don’t stop him,”Jesus told him,“because whoever is not against you is for you.”

The Journey to Jerusalem

51 When the days were coming to a close for Him to be taken up,He determinedto journey to Jerusalem.

52 He sent messengers ahead of Him,and on the way they entered a village of the Samaritansto make preparations for Him.

53 But they did not welcome Him, because He determined to journey to Jerusalem.

54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them? ”

55 But He turned and rebuked them,

56 and they went to another village.

Following Jesus

57 As they were traveling on the road someone said to Him,“I will follow You wherever You go! ”

58 Jesus told him,“Foxes have dens, and birds of the skyhave nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.”

59 Then He said to another,“Follow Me.”

“Lord,” he said, “first let me go bury my father.”

60 But He told him,“Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and spread the news of the kingdom of God.”

61 Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord, but first let me go and say good-bye to those at my house.”

62 But Jesus said to him,“No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/LUK/9-8caf107908007684e792403a1222379b.mp3?version_id=72—

Sending Out the Seventy

1 After this, the Lord appointed 70others, and He sent them ahead of Him in pairs to every town and place where He Himself was about to go.

2 He told them:“The harvestis abundant, but the workersare few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.

3 Now go; I’m sending you out like lambs among wolves.

4 Don’t carry a money-bag,traveling bag,or sandals;don’t greet anyone along the road.

5 Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peaceto this household.’

6 If a son of peaceis there, your peacewill rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.

7 Remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they offer, for the worker is worthy of his wages.Don’t be moving from house to house.

8 When you enter any town, and they welcome you, eat the things set before you.

9 Heal the sickwho are there, and tell them, ‘The kingdom of Godhas come nearyou.’

10 When you enter any town, and they don’t welcome you, go out into its streets and say,

11 ‘We are wiping off as a witness against youeven the dust of your town that clings to our feet. Know this for certain: The kingdom of God has come near.’

12 I tell you, on that dayit will be more tolerable for Sodomthan for that town.

Unrepentant Towns

13 “Woeto you,Chorazin!Woe to you, Bethsaida!For if the miraclesthat were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon,they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes!

14 But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgmentthan for you.

15 And you, Capernaum,will you be exalted to heaven?No, you will go down to Hades!

16 Whoever listens to you listens to Me.Whoever rejects you rejects Me.And whoever rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.”

The Return of the Seventy

17 The Seventyreturned with joy, saying,“Lord, even the demonssubmit to us in Your name.”

18 He said to them,“I watched Satanfall from heaven like a lightning flash.

19 Look, I have given you the authorityto trampleon snakesand scorpionsand over all the power of the enemy;nothing will ever harm you.

20 However, don’t rejoice thatthe spiritssubmit to you,but rejoice that your names are writtenin heaven.”

The Son Reveals the Father

21 In that same hourHerejoiced in the HolySpiritand said,“I praiseYou, Father,Lord of heaven and earth,because You have hidden these things from the wise and the learnedand have revealed them to infants.Yes, Father, because this was Your good pleasure.

22 All things havebeen entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son desiresto reveal Him.”

23 Then turning to His disciples He said privately,“The eyes that see the things you see are blessed!

24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see the things you see yet didn’t see them; to hear the things you hear yet didn’t hear them.”

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

25 Justthen an expert in the lawstood up to testHim, saying, “Teacher,what must I do to inherit eternal life? ”

26 “What is written in the law? ”He asked him.“How do you read it? ”

27 He answered:

Love the Lord your Godwith all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind;and your neighbor as yourself.

28 “You’ve answered correctly,”He told him.“Do this and you will live.”

29 But wanting to justify himself,he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor? ”

30 Jesus took up the question and said:“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him up, and fled, leaving him half dead.

31 A priest happened to be going down that road. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32 In the same way, a Levite, when he arrived at the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

33 But a Samaritanon his journey came up to him, and when he saw the man, he had compassion.

34 He went over to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on olive oiland wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35 The next dayhe took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him. When I come back I’ll reimburse you for whatever extra you spend.’

36 “Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers? ”

37 “The one who showed mercyto him,” he said.

Then Jesus told him,“Go and do the same.”

Martha and Mary

38 While they were traveling, He entered a village, and a woman named Marthawelcomed Him into her home.

39 She had a sister named Mary, who also sat at the Lord’sfeetand was listening to what He said.

40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she came up and asked, “Lord, don’t You carethat my sister has left me to serve alone? So tell her to give me a hand.”

41 The Lordanswered her,“Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things,

42 but one thing is necessary.Mary has made the right choice,and it will not be taken away from her.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/LUK/10-bdc0f548587ceb077b833d15bc24b0f7.mp3?version_id=72—

The Model Prayer

1 He was prayingin a certain place, and when He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.”

2 He said to them,“Whenever you pray, say:

Father,

Your namebe honored as holy.

Your kingdom come.

3 Give us each day our daily bread.

4 And forgive us our sins,

for we ourselves also forgive everyone

in debt to us.

And do not bring us into temptation.”

Keep Asking, Searching, Knocking

5 He also said to them:“Suppose one of youhas a friend and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,

6 because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I don’t have anything to offer him.’

7 Then he will answer from inside and say, ‘Don’t bother me! The door is already locked, and my children and I have gone to bed. I can’t get up to give you anything.’

8 I tell you, even though he won’t get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his friend’s persistence,he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

9 “SoI say to you, keep asking,and it will be given to you. Keep searching,and you will find. Keep knocking,and the door will be opened to you.

10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

11 What father among you, if his sonasks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish?

12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

13 If you then, who are evil,know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Fathergivethe Holy Spiritto those who ask Him? ”

A House Divided

14 NowHe was driving out a demonthat was mute.When the demon came out, the man who had been mute, spoke, and the crowds were amazed.

15 But some of them said, “He drives out demons by Beelzebul,the rulerof the demons! ”

16 And others, as a test,were demanding of Him a signfrom heaven.

17 Knowing their thoughts,He told them:“Every kingdom dividedagainst itself is headed for destruction, and a house divided against itself falls.

18 If Satanalso is divided against himself, how will his kingdomstand? For you say I drive out demons by Beelzebul.

19 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, who is it your sonsdrive them out by? For this reason they will be your judges.

20 If I drive out demons by the finger of God,then the kingdom of Godhas come to you.

21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his estate, his possessions are secure.

22 But when one stronger than he attacks and overpowershim, he takes from him all his weaponshe trustedin, and divides up his plunder.

23 Anyone who is not with Me is against Me,and anyone who does not gather with Me scatters.

An Unclean Spirit’s Return

24 “Whenan unclean spiritcomes out of a man, it roams through waterless places looking for rest,and not finding rest, it thensays, ‘I’ll go back to my house where I came from.’

25 And returning, it finds the house swept and put in order.

26 Then it goes and brings seven other spiritsmore evil than itself, and they enter and settle down there. As a result, that man’s last condition is worse than the first.”

True Blessedness

27 As He was saying these things, a woman from the crowdraised her voice and said to Him, “The womb that bore You and the one who nursed Youare blessed! ”

28 He said,“Even more, those who hear the word of Godand keep itare blessed! ”

The Sign of Jonah

29 As the crowds were increasing, He began saying:“This generationis an evil generation.It demands a sign,but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.

30 For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so also the Son of Manwill be to this generation.

31 The queen of the southwill rise up at the judgmentwith the men of this generation and condemnthem, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon,and look — something greater than Solomon is here!

32 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at Jonah’s proclamation, and look — something greater than Jonah is here!

The Lamp of the Body

33 “Noone lights a lampand puts it in the cellar or under a basket,but on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see its light.

34 Your eye is the lamp of the body.When your eye is good, your whole body is also full of light. But when it is bad,your body is also full of darkness.

35 Take care then, that the light in you is not darkness.

36 If, therefore, your whole body is full of light, with no part of it in darkness, it will be entirely illuminated, as when a lamp shines its light on you.”

Religious Hypocrisy Denounced

37 As He was speaking, a Phariseeasked Him to dine with him. So He went in and reclined at the table.

38 When the Pharisee saw this, he was amazed that He did not first perform the ritual washingbefore dinner.

39 But the Lord said to him:“Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greedand evil.

40 Fools!Didn’t He who made the outside make the inside too?

41 But give from what is within to the poor,,and then everything is cleanfor you.

42 “But woeto you Pharisees! You give a tenthof mint, rue, and every kind of herb, and you bypassjusticeand love for God.These things you should have done without neglecting the others.

43 “Woe to you Pharisees! You love the front seatin the synagoguesand greetings in the marketplaces.

44 “Woe to you!You are like unmarked graves;the people who walk over them don’t know it.”

45 One of the experts in the lawanswered Him, “Teacher, when You say these things You insult us too.”

46 Then He said:“Woe also to you experts in the law! You load people with burdensthat are hard to carry, yet you yourselves don’t touch these burdens with one of your fingers.

47 “Woe to you! You build monumentsto the prophets,and your fathers killedthem.

48 Therefore, you are witnessesthat you approvethe deeds of your fathers, for they killed them, and you build their monuments.

49 Because of this, the wisdom of Godsaid, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles,and some of them they will kill and persecute,’

50 so that this generationmay be held responsible for the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world—

51 from the blood of Abelto the blood of Zechariah,who perished between the altar and the sanctuary.

“Yes, I tell you, this generation will be held responsible.

52 “Woe to you experts in the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge!You didn’t go in yourselves, and you hinderedthose who were going in.”

53 When He left there,the scribes and the Pharisees began to opposeHim fiercely and to cross-examine Him about many things;

54 they were lying in waitfor Him to trap Him in something He said.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/LUK/11-46592d21ec79d75fde420bd45681aa36.mp3?version_id=72—

Beware of Religious Hypocrisy

1 In these circumstances,a crowd of many thousands came together, so that they were tramplingon one another. He began to say to His disciples first:“Be on your guardagainst the yeastof the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

2 There is nothing covered that won’t be uncovered,nothing hidden that won’t be made known.

3 Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in an ear in private roomswill be proclaimed on the housetops.

Fear God

4 “And I say to you, My friends,don’t fearthose who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more.

5 But I will show you the One to fear: FearHim who has authority to throw people into hellafter death. Yes, I say to you, this is the One to fear!

6 Aren’t five sparrows sold for two pennies?Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight.

7 Indeed, the hairs of your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows!

Acknowledging Christ

8 “And I say to you, anyone who acknowledgesMe before men, the Son of Manwill also acknowledge him before the angels of God,

9 but whoever denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.

10 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven,but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spiritwill not be forgiven.

11 Wheneverthey bring you before synagogues and rulers and authorities,don’t worryabout how you should defendyourselves or what you should say.

12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what must be said.”

The Parable of the Rich Fool

13 Someone from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher,tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

14 “Friend,”He said to him,“who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you? ”

15 He then told them,“Watch out and be on guardagainst all greedbecause one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.”

16 Then He told them a parable:“A richman’s land was very productive.

17 He thought to himself, ‘What should I do, since I don’t have anywhere to store my crops?

18 I will do this,’ he said. ‘I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there.

19 Then I’ll say to myself, “Youhave many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy;eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.” ’

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool!This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared — whose will they be? ’

21 “That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasurefor himself and is not rich toward God.”

The Cure for Anxiety

22 Then He said to His disciples:“Therefore I tell you,don’t worry about your life, what you will eat; or about the body, what you will wear.

23 For life is more than food and the body more than clothing.

24 Consider the ravens:They don’t sow or reap; they don’t have a storeroom or a barn; yet God feeds them.Aren’t you worth much more than the birds?

25 Can any of you add a cubit to his heightby worrying?

26 If then you’re not able to do even a little thing, why worry about the rest?

27 “Consider how the wildflowers grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you, not even Solomonin all his splendor was adorned like one of these!

28 If that’s how God clothes the grass, which is in the field today and is thrown into the furnace tomorrow, how much more will He do for you — you of little faith?

29 Don’t keep striving for what you should eat and what you should drink, and don’t be anxious.

30 For the Gentile world eagerly seeksall these things, and your Fatherknows that you need them.

31 “But seek His kingdom,and these things will be provided for you.

32 Don’t be afraid,little flock,because your Father delightsto give you the kingdom.

33 Sellyour possessions and give to the poor.Make money-bagsfor yourselves that won’t grow old, an inexhaustible treasurein heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.

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

Ready for the Master’s Return

35 “Be ready for serviceand have your lamps lit.

36 You must be like people waiting for their masterto returnfrom the wedding banquetso that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once.

37 Those slaves the master will find alertwhen he comes will be blessed. I assure you: He will get ready,have them recline at the table, then come and serve them.

38 If he comes in the middle of the night, or even near dawn,and finds them alert, those slaves are blessed.

39 But know this: If the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming,he would not have let his house be broken into.

40 You also be ready,because the Son of Manis coming at an hour that you do not expect.”

Rewards and Punishment

41 “Lord,” Peter asked, “are You telling this parable to us or to everyone? ”

42 The Lord said:“Who then is the faithful and sensible managerhis master will put in charge of his household servants to give them their allotted foodat the proper time?

43 That slave whose master finds him working when he comes will be rewarded.

44 I tell you the truth: He will put him in charge of all his possessions.

45 But if that slave says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’and starts to beat the male and female slaves, and to eat and drink and get drunk,

46 that slave’s master will come on a day he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know. He will cut him to piecesand assign him a place with the unbelievers.

47 And that slave who knew his master’s will and didn’t prepare himself or do itwill be severely beaten.

48 But the one who did not know and did things deservingof blows will be beaten lightly. Much will be required of everyone who has been given much. And even more will be expected of the one who has been entrusted with more.

Not Peace but Division

49 “I cameto bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already set ablaze!

50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with,and how it consumesMe until it is finished!

51 Do you think that I came here to give peace to the earth?No, I tell you, but rather division!

52 From now on, five 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 her daughter-in-law,

and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

Interpreting the Time

54 He also said to the crowds:“When you see a cloud rising in the west, right away you say, ‘A storm is coming,’ and so it does.

55 And when the south wind is blowing, you say, ‘It’s going to be a scorcher! ’ and it is.

56 Hypocrites!You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why don’t you know how to interpret this time?

Settling Accounts

57 “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?

58 As you are going with your adversaryto the ruler, make an effort to settle with him on the way. Then he won’t drag you before the judge,the judge hand you over to the bailiff, and the bailiff throw you into prison.

59 I tell you, you will never get out of there until you have paid the last cent.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/LUK/12-07f18d015b59ca7f981ecc8f1ffe62bb.mp3?version_id=72—

Repent or Perish

1 At that time,some people came and reported to Him about the Galileanswhose blood Pilatehad mixed with their sacrifices.

2 And Heresponded to them,“Do you think that these Galileans were more sinful than all Galileans because they suffered these things?

3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as well!

4 Or those 18 that the tower in Siloamfell on and killed — do you think they were more sinful than all the people who live in Jerusalem?

5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as well! ”

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

6 And He told this parable:“A man had a fig tree that was planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it and found none.

7 He told the vineyard worker, ‘Listen, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down!Why should it even waste the soil? ’

8 “But he replied to him, ‘Sir,leave it this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.

9 Perhaps it will bear fruit next year, but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”

Healing a Daughter of Abraham

10 As He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath,

11 a woman was there who had been disabled by a spiritfor over 18 years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all.

12 When Jesus saw her, He called out to her,“Woman, you are free of your disability.”

13 Then He laid His hands on her,and instantly she was restoredand began to glorify God.

14 But the leader of the synagogue, indignantbecause Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, responded by telling the crowd, “There are six days when work should be done;therefore come on those days and be healed and not on the Sabbath day.”

15 But the Lord answered him and said,“Hypocrites!Doesn’t each one of you untie his oxor donkey from the feeding troughon the Sabbath and lead it to water?

16 Satanhas boundthis woman, a daughter of Abraham,for 18 years — shouldn’t she be untied from this bondage on the Sabbath day? ”

17 When He had said these things, all His adversarieswere humiliated,but the whole crowd was rejoicing over all the glorious things He was doing.

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and of the Yeast

18 He said, therefore,“What is the kingdom of God like,and what can I compare it to?

19 It’s like a mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the sky nested in its branches.”

20 Again He said,“What can I compare the kingdom of Godto?

21 It’s like yeastthat a woman took and mixed into 50 poundsof flour until it spread through the entire mixture.”

The Narrow Way

22 He went through one town and village after another, teaching and making His way to Jerusalem.

23 “Lord,” someone asked Him, “are there few being saved? ”

He said to them,

24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door,because I tell you, many will try to enter and won’t be able

25 once the homeowner gets up and shuts the door.Then you will standoutside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up for us! ’ He will answer you, ‘I don’t know you or where you’re from.’

26 Then you will say,‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets! ’

27 But He will say, ‘I tell you, I don’t know you or where you’re from. Get away from Me,all you workers of unrighteousness! ’

28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teethin that place,when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God,but yourselves thrown out.

29 They will come from east and west, from north and south, and recline at the tablein the kingdom of God.

30 Note this: Some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

Jesus and Herod Antipas

31 At that time some Pharisees came and told Him, “Go, get out of here! Herodwants to kill You! ”

32 He said to them,“Go tell that fox, ‘Look! I’m driving out demons and performing healings today and tomorrow, and on the third dayI will complete My work.’

33 Yet I musttravel today, tomorrow, and the next day, because it is not possible for a prophetto perishoutside of Jerusalem!

Jesus’ Lamentation over Jerusalem

34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem!She who kills the prophets and stonesthose who are sent to her.How often I wanted to gather your childrentogether, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings,but you were not willing!

35 See, your houseis abandoned to you.And I tell you, you will not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘He who comes in the name of the Lord is the blessed One’!”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/LUK/13-fad1e85fdd94ef7b694642458b7fbaa1.mp3?version_id=72—

A Sabbath Controversy

1 One Sabbath, when He went to eatat the house of one of the leading Pharisees,they were watching Him closely.

2 There in front of Him was a man whose body was swollen with fluid.

3 In response, Jesus asked the law expertsand the Pharisees,“Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not? ”

4 But they kept silent. He took the man, healed him, and sent him away.

5 And to them, He said,“Which of you whose son or ox falls into a well, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day? ”

6 To this they could find no answer.

Teachings on Humility

7 He told a parableto those who were invited, when He noticed how they would choose the best placesfor themselves:

8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, don’t recline at the best place, because a more distinguished personthan you may have been invited by your host.

9 The one who invited both of you may come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then in humiliation, you will proceed to take the lowest place.

10 “But when you are invited, go and recline in the lowest place, so that when the one who invited you comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ You will then be honoredin the presence of all the other guests.

11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

12 He also said to the one who had invited Him,“When you give a lunch or a dinner, don’t invite your friends, your brothers, your relatives, or your rich neighbors, because they might invite you back, and you would be repaid.

13 On the contrary, when you host a banquet,invite those who are poor, maimed, lame, or blind.

14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you will be repaidat the resurrection of the righteous.”

The Parable of the Large Banquet

15 Whenone of those who reclined at the table with Him heard these things, he said to Him, “The one who will eat bread in the kingdom of Godis blessed! ”

16 Then He told him:“A man was giving a large banquet and invited many.

17 At the time of the banquet, he sent his slave to tell those who were invited, ‘Come, because everything is now ready.’

18 “But without exceptionthey all began to make excuses. The first one said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. I ask you to excuse me.’

19 “Another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m going to try them out. I ask you to excuse me.’

20 “And another said, ‘I just got married,and therefore I’m unable to come.’

21 “So the slave came back and reported these things to his master. Then in anger, the master of the house told his slave, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in here the poor, maimed, blind, and lame! ’

22 “ ‘Master,’ the slave said, ‘what you ordered has been done, and there’s still room.’

23 “Then the master told the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and lanes and make them come in, so that my house may be filled.

24 For I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will enjoy my banquet! ’ ”

The Cost of Following Jesus

25 Nowgreat crowds were traveling with Him. So He turned and said to them:

26 “If anyone comes to Meand does not hatehis own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters — yes, and even his own life — he cannot be My disciple.

27 Whoever does not bear his own crossand come after Me cannot be My disciple.

28 “For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and calculate the costto see if he has enough to complete it?

29 Otherwise, after he has laid the foundation and cannot finish it, all the onlookers will begin to make fun of him,

30 saying, ‘This man started to build and wasn’t able to finish.’

31 “Or what king, going to war against another king, will not first sit down and decide if he is able with 10,000 to oppose the one who comes against him with 20,000?

32 If not, while the other is still far off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace.

33 In the same way, therefore, every one of you who does not say good-bye toall his possessionscannot be My disciple.

34 “Now,saltis good, but if salt should lose its taste, how will it be made salty?

35 It isn’t fit for the soil or for the manure pile; they throw it out. Anyone who has ears to hear should listen! ”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/LUK/14-378cc6c1fd50e95a9b28066610cda9b4.mp3?version_id=72—

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

1 Allthe tax collectorsand sinners were approaching to listen to Him.

2 And the Pharisees and scribes were complaining, “This man welcomes sinnersand eats with them! ”

3 So He told them this parable:

4 “What man among you, who has 100 sheep and loses one of them,does not leave the 99 in the open fieldand go after the lost one until he finds it?

5 When he has found it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders,

6 and coming home, he calls his friends and neighbors together, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep! ’

7 I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heavenover one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people who don’t need repentance.

The Parable of the Lost Coin

8 “Or what woman who has 10 silver coins,if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?

9 When she finds it, she calls her women friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found the silver coin I lost! ’

10 I tell you, in the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angelsover one sinner who repents.”

The Parable of the Lost Son

11 He also said:“A man had two sons.

12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate I have coming to me.’ So he distributed the assetsto them.

13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squanderedhis estate in foolish living.

14 After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing.

15 Then he went to work forone of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.

16 He longed to eat his fill fromthe carob podsthe pigs were eating, but no one would give him any.

17 When he came to his senses,he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger!

18 I’ll get up, go to my father, and say to him, Father, I have sinnedagainst heavenand in your sight.

19 I’m no longer worthyto be called your son. Make me like one of your hired hands.’

20 So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion.He ran, threw his arms around his neck,and kissedhim.

21 The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 “But the father told his slaves, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robeand put it on him; put a ringon his fingerand sandalson his feet.

23 Then bring the fattened calfand slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast,

24 because this son of mine was dead and is alive again;he was lost and is found! ’ So they began to celebrate.

25 “Now his older son was in the field; as he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.

26 So he summoned one of the servants and asked what these things meant.

27 ‘Your brother is here,’ he told him, ‘and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

28 “Then he became angry and didn’t want to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him.

29 But he replied to his father, ‘Look, I have been slaving many years for you, and I have never disobeyed your orders, yet you never gave me a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.

30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your assetswith prostitutes,you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’

31 “ ‘Son,’he said to him, ‘you are always with me,and everything I have is yours.

32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/LUK/15-29640fe03663802899478d31663acb2e.mp3?version_id=72—

The Parable of the Dishonest Manager

1 He also said to the disciples:“There was a richman who received an accusation that his managerwas squanderinghis possessions.

2 So he called the manager in and asked, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management,because you can no longer be my manager.’

3 “Then the manager said to himself, ‘What should I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I’m not strong enough to dig; I’m ashamed to beg.

4 I know what I’ll do so that when I’m removed from management, people will welcome me into their homes.’

5 “So he summoned each one of his master’s debtors. ‘How much do you owe my master? ’ he asked the first one.

6 “ ‘A hundred measures of olive oil,’ he said.

“ ‘Take your invoice,’ he told him, ‘sit down quickly, and write 50.’

7 “Next he asked another, ‘How much do you owe? ’

“ ‘A hundred measures of wheat,’ he said.

“ ‘Take your invoice,’ he told him, ‘and write 80.’

8 “The master praised the unrighteous managerbecause he had acted astutely. For the sons of this ageare more astute than the sons of lightin dealing with their own people.

9 And I tell you, make friendsfor yourselves by means of the unrighteous moneyso that when it fails,they may welcome you into eternal dwellings.

10 Whoever is faithfulin very littleis also faithful in much, and whoever is unrighteous in very little is also unrighteous in much.

11 So if you have not been faithful with the unrighteous money, who will trust you with what is genuine?

12 And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to someone else, who will give you what is your own?

13 Nohousehold slave can be the slave of two masters, since either he will hateone and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t be slaves to both God and money.”

Kingdom Values

14 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money,were listening to all these things and scoffingat Him.

15 And He told them:“You are the ones who justifyyourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts.For what is highly admired by people is revoltingin God’s sight.

16 “TheLaw and the Prophetswereuntil John; since then, the good news of the kingdom of Godhas been proclaimed, and everyone is strongly urged to enter it.

17 But it is easierfor heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter in the law to drop out.

18 “Everyonewho divorceshis wife and marries another woman commits adultery,and everyone who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.

The Rich Man and Lazarus

19 “There was a rich man who would dress in purple and fine linen,feasting lavishly every day.

20 But a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, was left at his gate.

21 He longed to be filledwith what fell from the rich man’s table,but instead the dogswould come and lick his sores.

22 One day the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s side.The rich man also died and was buried.

23 And being in tormentin Hades,he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off, with Lazarus at his side.

24 ‘Father Abraham! ’he called out, ‘Have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agonyin this flame! ’

25 “ ‘Son,’Abraham said, ‘remember that during your life you received your good things,just as Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here,while you are in agony.

26 Besides all this, a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that those who want to pass over from here to you cannot; neither can those from there cross over to us.’

27 “ ‘Father,’ he said, ‘then I beg you to send him to my father’s house —

28 because I have five brothers — to warnthem, so they won’t also come to this place of torment.’

29 “But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the prophets;they should listen to them.’

30 “ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said. ‘But if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’

31 “But he told him, ‘If they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded if someone rises from the dead.’ ”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/LUK/16-e6d66d69a0eb0b2908afa8fdc728f832.mp3?version_id=72—

Warnings from Jesus

1 Hesaid to His disciples,“Offenseswill certainly come,but woeto the one they comethrough!

2 It would be better for him if a millstonewere hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to stumble.

3 Beon your guard. If your brother sins,rebukehim, and if he repents, forgivehim.

4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and comes back to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

Faith and Duty

5 Theapostlessaid to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”

6 “If you have faith the size ofa mustard seed,”the Lord said,“you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.

7 “Which one of you having a slave tending sheep or plowing will say to him when he comes in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’?

8 Instead, will he not tell him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, get ready,and serve me while I eat and drink; later you can eat and drink’?

9 Does he thank that slave because he did what was commanded?

10 In the same way, when you have done all that you were commanded, you should say, ‘We are good-for-nothingslaves; we’ve only done our duty.’ ”

Ten Men Healed

11 While traveling to Jerusalem,He passed betweenSamaria and Galilee.

12 As He entered a village, 10 men with serious skin diseasesmet Him. They stood at a distance

13 and raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master,have mercy on us! ”

14 When He saw them, He told them,“Go and show yourselves to the priests.”And while they were going, they were healed.

15 But one of them, seeing that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, gave glory to God.

16 He fell facedownat His feet, thanking Him. And he was a Samaritan.

17 Then Jesus said,“Were not 10 cleansed? Where are the nine?

18 Didn’t any returnto give glory to God except this foreigner? ”

19 And He told him,“Get up and go on your way. Your faith has made you well.”

The Coming of the Kingdom

20 Beingasked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God will come,He answered them,“The kingdom of God is not coming with something observable;

21 no one will say,‘Look here! ’ or ‘There! ’ For you see, the kingdom of God is among you.”

22 Then He told the disciples:“The days are comingwhen you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you won’t see it.

23 They will say to you,‘Look there! ’ or ‘Look here! ’ Don’t follow or run after them.

24 For as the lightning flashes from horizon to horizon and lights up the sky, so the Son of Man will be in His day.

25 But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.

26 “Just as it was in the days of Noah,so it will be in the days of the Son of Man:

27 People went on eating, drinking, marrying and giving in marriageuntil the day Noah boarded the ark,and the flood came and destroyed them all.

28 It will be the same as it was in the days of Lot:People went on eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building.

29 But on the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyedthem all.

30 Itwill be like that on the day the Son of Man is revealed.

31 On that day, a man on the housetop, whose belongings are in the house, must not come down to get them. Likewise the man who is in the field must not turn back.

32 Remember Lot’s wife!

33 Whoever tries to make his life securewill lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.

34 I tell you, on that nighttwo will be in one bed: One will be taken and the other will be left.

35 Two women will be grinding grain together: One will be taken and the other left.

36 Two will be in a field: One will be taken, and the other will be left. ”

37 “Where, Lord? ”they asked Him.

He said to them,“Where the corpse is, there also the vultureswill be gathered.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/LUK/17-e88e197e2045317c0cdfb757e32c0dfa.mp3?version_id=72—