Luke 12:49–59

Not Peace, But a Sword of Divisiveness

⁴⁹“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish that it had been kindled already! ⁵⁰But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how I am distressed until it is accomplished! ⁵¹Do you think that I have come to grant peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! ⁵²For from now on there will be five in one household, divided three against two and two against three. ⁵³They will be divided, father 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.”

The Signs of the Times

⁵⁴And he also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud coming up in the west, you say at once, ‘A rainstorm is coming,’ and so it happens. ⁵⁵And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be burning heat,’ and it happens. ⁵⁶Hypocrites! You know how to evaluate the appearance of the earth and the sky, but how is it you do not know how to evaluate this present time?

Settle Accounts Quickly

⁵⁷And why do you not also judge for yourselves what is right? ⁵⁸For as you are going with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to come to a settlement with him on the way, so that he will not drag you to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the bailiff, and the bailiff will throw you into prison. ⁵⁹I tell you, you will never get out of there until you have paid back even the last cent!”^l