New Testament · Gospels and Acts

Luke chapter 6

One day, Jesus was walking through some grain fields, and his were picking heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them.Some of the said, “Why are you doing something that’s not allowed on the Sabbath?”Jesus answered them, “Haven’t you read what did when he and his companions were hungry?”He went into , took the , which only the priests were allowed to eat, and ate it and shared it with his companions.”Then he told them, “The has the Sabbath.”On another Sabbath, Jesus went into the and was teaching. There was a man there whose right hand was withered.The and the Pharisees were watching Jesus closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath, so they could find something to accuse him of.But Jesus knew exactly what they were thinking. He said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and stand in front of everyone.” So the man got up and stood there.Then Jesus said to them, “Let me ask you something: Is it legal on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm? To save a life or to destroy one?”He looked around at all of them, and then said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” The man did, and his hand was completely restored.But they were filled with and began talking to each other about what they could do to Jesus.Around that time, Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he spent the entire night praying to God.When morning came, he called his followers together and chose twelve of them, whom he also named ‘’:Simon (whom he named ), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the ,Judas son of James, and Judas , who later betrayed him.Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his followers was there, along with a huge number of people from all over Judea, Jerusalem, and the coastal region of .They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those tormented by were also set free.The whole crowd was trying to touch him, because was flowing out from him and healing everyone.Then Jesus looked directly at his followers and said: “ you who are , because belongs to you.”Life is good for you who are now, because you will be filled. Life is good for you who are now, because you will laugh.Life is good for you when people hate you, when they you and insult you and because of the Son of Man.Be glad when that happens and , because your reward in heaven is great. Their ancestors treated the the same way.But you who are rich, because you’ve already received all the comfort you’re going to get.How terrible for you who are well-fed now, because you will go hungry. How terrible for you who are laughing now, because you will mourn and weep.How terrible for you when everyone speaks well of you, because that’s exactly how their ancestors treated the .“But I’m telling you who are listening: your . Do good to those who hate you.” those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you.If someone , offer the other one too. If someone takes your coat, don’t hold back your shirt either.Give to everyone who asks you, and if someone takes what belongs to you, don’t demand it back.Treat other people the way you want them to treat you.“If you only love the people who love you, why should you get any for that? Even love the people who love them.”And if you only do good to those who do good to you, why should you get any credit for that? Even people who don’t care about God do that.And if you only lend to people you expect to get something back from, why should you get any credit for that? Even people who don’t care about God lend to each other, expecting to be repaid in full.Instead, love your enemies, do good to them, and lend without expecting anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be , because he is kind to ungrateful and evil people.Be , just as your Father is compassionate.“Don’t others, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn others, and you won’t be condemned. others, and you will be forgiven.”Give, and it will be given to you — a generous amount, , . Because the measuring standard you use for others is the one that will be used for you.He also told them an : “Can a blind person guide another blind person? Won’t they both fall into a ditch?”A isn’t above their teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.“Why do you notice the in your eye but don’t notice the in your own eye?”How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the splinter out of your eye,’ when you can’t even see the plank in your own eye? You ! First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you’ll be able to see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye.“No good tree produces fruit, and no rotten tree produces good fruit.”Every tree is known by its own fruit. People don’t pick from thornbushes, or grapes from briers.A good person produces good things from the good in their , and an evil person produces evil things from the evil stored up in their heart. Because your mouth speaks from whatever fills your heart.“Why do you call me ‘, Master,’ but don’t do what I say?”Let me show you what everyone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and puts them into practice.They’re like someone building a house who dug deep and laid the on solid . When a flood came and the river slammed against that house, it couldn’t shake it, because it was built well.But anyone who hears my words and doesn’t put them into practice is like someone who built a house on the ground without any foundation. The moment the river slammed against it, it immediately, and the of that house was total.