Luke 12 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

Meanwhile, thousands of people had crowded together — so many they were stepping on each other. Jesus spoke first to his followers: "Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees — and by that I mean their hypocrisy."

There's nothing covered up that won't be uncovered, and nothing hidden that won't be made known.

So whatever you've said in the dark will be heard in broad daylight, and what you've whispered behind closed doors will be announced from the rooftops.

"I'm telling you, friends — don't be afraid of those who can kill the body but can't do anything beyond that."

"Let me tell you who you should actually fear: fear the one who, after killing, has the authority to throw you into Gehenna. Yes, I'm telling you — that's who to fear."

"Aren't five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet God doesn't overlook a single one of them."

"In fact, even every hair on your head has been counted. So don't be afraid — you're worth more than a whole flock of sparrows."

"And I'm telling you — everyone who stands with me in front of others, the Son of Man will also stand with them in front of God's angels."

"But whoever denies knowing me in front of others will be denied in front of God's angels."

"And anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven. But anyone who slanders the Breath of God will not be forgiven."

"When they drag you before the synagogues and rulers and authorities, don't stress about how to defend yourself or what to say."

"Because the Breath of God will teach you in that very moment what you need to say."

Someone in the crowd called out to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to split the inheritance with me."

But Jesus replied, "Friend, who appointed me as your judge or mediator?"

Then he said to them, "Be on guard against every kind of greed. Your life isn't measured by how much stuff you own."

And he told them this story: "There was a rich man whose land produced an enormous harvest."

"He thought to himself, 'What am I going to do? I don't have room to store all my crops.'"

"Then he said, 'Here's what I'll do — I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. That's where I'll store all my grain and everything else I have.'"

"Then I'll tell myself, 'You've got it made! You have enough stored up for years. Take it easy — eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.'"

"But God said to him, 'You fool! Tonight your life is being demanded back from you. So who's going to get everything you've accumulated?'"

"That's how it goes for anyone who stockpiles wealth for themselves but isn't rich in the ways that matter to God."

Then he said to his followers, "That's why I'm telling you — stop worrying about your life, what you'll eat, or about your body, what you'll wear."

"Because life is about more than food, and the body is about more than clothes."

"Think about the ravens — they don't plant or harvest, they don't have storerooms or barns, and yet God feeds them. And you are worth so much more than birds!"

"And which of you can add a single hour to your life by worrying about it?"

"If you can't even do something that small, why worry about the rest?"

"Think about how the wildflowers grow — they don't work or make their own clothes. But I'm telling you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these."

"If that's how God dresses the grass in the field — here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow — how much more will he take care of you? Your trust is so small!"

"So don't obsess over what you'll eat or drink. Don't let it consume you."

"The rest of the world chases after all these things, and your Father already knows you need them."

"Instead, chase after his kingdom, and all these things will be given to you as well."

"Don't be afraid, little flock — because your Father has happily decided to give you the kingdom."

"Sell what you own and give to people in need. Get yourselves wallets that don't wear out — an inexhaustible treasure in heaven where no thief gets near and no moth destroys."

"Because wherever your treasure is, that's where your heart will be too."

"Stay dressed and ready, with your lamps lit,"

"like people waiting for their master to come back from a wedding reception, so they can open the door for him the moment he arrives and knocks."

"Life is good for those servants whose master finds them wide awake when he arrives. I'm telling you the truth — he'll put on an apron, have them sit down at the table, and come serve them himself."

"Whether he comes at midnight or just before dawn — if he finds them ready, life is good for those servants."

"But understand this: if the homeowner had known what time the thief was coming, he wouldn't have let his house be broken into."

"You also need to be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at a time you won't expect."

Peter asked, "Master, are you telling this story for us, or for everyone?"

The Master replied, "So who is the trustworthy and thoughtful manager that the master puts in charge of his household staff to give them their food at the right time?"

"Life is good for that servant whose master comes home and finds him doing exactly that."

"I'm telling you the truth — the master will put him in charge of everything he owns."

"But what if that servant thinks to himself, 'My master is taking his time getting back,' and starts beating the other servants — men and women — and eating, drinking, and getting drunk?"

"That servant's master will show up on a day he isn't expecting, at a time he doesn't know, and will cut him off and assign him a place with those who can't be trusted."

"The servant who knew what his master wanted but didn't prepare or follow through will be punished severely."

"But the one who didn't know and did things that deserved punishment will receive a lighter penalty. Everyone who's been given a lot will have a lot expected of them. And whoever has been entrusted with much will be asked for even more."

"I came to throw fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already burning!"

"But I have a submersion I must go through, and the pressure I feel until it's finished is intense!"