Luke 12:49–59

Not Peace, but Division

^49a“I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! ^50bI have a baptism to be baptized with, and how ^cgreat is my distress until it is accomplished! ^51dDo you think that I have come to give peace on earth? ^eNo, I tell you, but rather division. ⁵²For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. ⁵³They will be divided, ^ffather against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

Interpreting the Time

⁵⁴He also said to the crowds, ^g“When you see ^ha cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens. ⁵⁵And ^gwhen you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be ⁱscorching heat,’ and it happens. ⁵⁶You hypocrites! ^jYou know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

Settle with Your Accuser

⁵⁷“And why ^kdo you not judge ^lfor yourselves what is right? ^58mAs you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. ⁵⁹I tell you, ⁿyou will never get out until you have paid the very last ^openny.”⁹