Luke 12:49–59

Christ Divides Men

49 “I 1have come to cast fire upon the earth; and 2how I wish it were already kindled!

50 “But I have a abaptism to 1undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!

51 “aDo you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division;

52 for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three.

53 “They will be divided, afather 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 And He was also saying to the crowds, “aWhen you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming,’ and so it turns out.

55 “And when you see a south wind blowing, you say, ‘It will be a ahot day,’ and it turns out that way.

56 “You hypocrites! aYou know how to analyze the appearance of the earth and the sky, but 1why do you not analyze this present time?

57 “And awhy do you not even on your own initiative judge what is right?

58 “For awhile you are going with your opponent to appear before the magistrate, on your way there make an effort to 1settle with him, so that he may not drag you before the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.

59 “I say to you, you will not get out of there until you have paid the very last 1acent.”