Luke 12:1–21

Warning Against Hypocrisy

12During this time^a when^* a crowd of many thousands had gathered together, so that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware for yourselves of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. ²But nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, and secret that will not be made known. ³Therefore everything that you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered^b in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.

Fear God Rather Than People

⁴“And I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after these things do not have anything more to do. ⁵But I will show you whom you should fear: fear the one who has authority, after the killing, to throw you^* into hell! Yes, I tell you, fear this one! ⁶Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God. ⁷But even the hairs of your head are all numbered! Do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Acknowledgement of Christ and Persecution of Disciples

⁸“And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before people, the Son of Man also will acknowledge him before the angels of God, ⁹but the one who denies me before people will be denied before the angels of God. ¹⁰And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him, but to the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven. ¹¹But when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious how or what you should speak in your own defense or what you should say, ¹²for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what it is necessary to say.”

The Parable of the Rich Landowner Who Was a Fool

¹³Now someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me!” ¹⁴But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” ¹⁵And he said to them, “Watch out and guard yourselves from all greediness, because not even when someone has an abundance does^c his life consist of his possessions.” ¹⁶And he told a parable to them, saying, “The land of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. ¹⁷And he reasoned to himself, saying, ‘What should I do? For I do not have anywhere I can gather in my crops.’ ¹⁸And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and I will gather in there all my grain and possessions. ¹⁹And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many possessions stored up for many years. Relax, eat, drink, celebrate!” ’ ²⁰But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your life^d is demanded from you, and the things which you have prepared—whose will they be?’ ²¹So is the one who stores up treasure for himself, and who is not rich toward God!”