Christ Warns of the Costs of Discipleship

49 q“I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But rI have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is saccomplished! 51 tDo you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, ubut rather division. 52 vFor from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. 53 wFather will be divided 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 her mother-in-law.”

Christ Warns of Not Discerning the Times

54 Then He also said to the multitudes, x“Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it is. 55 And when you see the ysouth wind blow, you say, ‘There will be hot weather’; and there is. 56 Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern zthis time?

57 “Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right? 58 aWhen you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort balong the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. 59 I tell you, you shall not depart from there till you have paid the very last mite.”