 8-8 It happens soon afterwards that he went about through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. With him were the twelve, and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Cousas, Herod Stewart, Susanna, and many others, who served them from their possessions. When a great multitude came together, and people from every city were coming to him, he spoke by a parable. The farmer went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell along the road, and it was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the sky devoured it. The seed fell on the rock, and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture. Other fell amid the thorns, and the thorns grew with it, and choked it. Other fell into the good ground, and grew, and brought forth fruit one hundred times. As he said these things, he called out, He who has ears to hear, let him hear. Then his disciples asked him, What does this parable mean? He said, To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest in parables, that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. Now the parable is this, the seed is the word of God. Those along the road are those who hear, then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rock are they who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but these have no root, who believe for a while, then fall away in time of temptation. That which fell among the thorns, these are those who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares, riches and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. That in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, have incurred the word, hold it tightly, and bring forth fruit with patience. No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a container, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, that those who enter in may see the light, for nothing is hidden that will not be revealed, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Be careful therefore how you hear, for whoever has to him will be given, and whoever doesn't have. From him will be taken away, even that which he thinks he has. His mother and brothers came to him, and they could not come near him for the crowd. It was taught him by some saying, your mother and your brothers stand outside, desiring to see you. But he answered them, my mother and my brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it. Now it happened on one of those days that he entered into a boat, himself and his disciples, and he said to them, let's go over to the other side of the lake, so they launched out. But as they sailed, he fell asleep. A windstorm came down on the lake, and they were taking on dangerous amounts of water. They came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, Master, we are dying! He awoke, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water, and they ceased, and it was calm. He said to them, where is your faith? Being afraid, they marveled, saying one to another, who is this then, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him? They arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. When Jesus stepped ashore, a certain man out of the city who had demons for a long time met him. He wore no clothes, and didn't live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, what do I have to do with you, Jesus, you son of the Most High God? I beg you, don't torment me! For Jesus was commanding the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For the unclean spirit had often seized the man. He was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters. Breaking the bands apart, he was driven by the demon into the desert. Jesus asked him, what is your name? He said, legion, for many demons had entered into him. They begged him that he would not command them to go into the abyss. Now there was there a herd of many pigs feeding on the mountain, and they begged him that he would allow them to enter into those. He allowed them. The demons came out from the man, and entered into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake, and were drowned. When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. People went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus' feet, clothed, and in his right mind, and they were afraid. Those who saw it told them how he who had been possessed by demons was healed. All the people of the surrounding country of the Gadarenes asked him to depart from them, but they were very much afraid. He entered into the boat and returned, but the man from whom the demons had gone out begged him that he might go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, return to your house, and declare what great things God has done for you. He went his way, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him. It happened when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. Behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. He fell down at Jesus' feet and begged him to come into his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as he went, the multitudes pressed against him. A woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her living on physicians, and could not be healed by any, came behind him, and touched the fringe of his cloak, and immediately the flow of her blood stopped. Jesus said, who touched me? When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, Master, the multitudes press and jostle you, and you say, who touched me? But Jesus said, someone did touch me, for I perceived that power has gone out of me. When the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him, declared to him, in the presence of all the people, the reason why she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. He said to her, daughter, cheer up, your faith has made you well, go in peace. While he still spoke, one from the ruler of the synagogue's house came, saying to him, your daughter is dead, don't trouble the teacher. But Jesus hearing it answered him, don't be afraid, only believe, and she will be healed. When he came to the house, he didn't allow anyone to enter in, except Peter, John, James, the father of the child, and her mother. All were weeping and mourning her. But he said, don't weep, she isn't dead, but sleeping. They were ridiculing him, knowing that she was dead. But he put them all outside, and taking her by the hand, he called, saying, child, arise. Her spirit returned, and she rose up immediately. He commanded that something be given to her to eat. Her parents were amazed. But he commanded them to tell no one what had been done. Chapter 9. He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them forth to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. He said to them, take nothing for your journey. Neither staffs, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money, neither have two coats apiece. Into whatever house you enter, stay there, and depart from there. As many as don't receive you, when you depart from that city, shake off even the dust from your feet, for a testimony against them. They departed, and went throughout the villages, preaching the good news, and healing everywhere. Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him, and he was very perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again. Herod said, John I beheaded, but who is this, about whom I hear such things? He sought to see him. The apostles, when they had returned, told him what things they had done. He took them, and withdrew apart to a deserted place of a city called Bethsaida. But the multitudes perceiving it followed him. He welcomed them, and spoke to them of the kingdom of God, and he cured those who needed healing. The day began to wear away, and the twelve came, and said to him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and farms, and lodge, and get food, for we are here in a deserted place. But he said to them, You give them something to eat. They said, We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we should go and buy food for all these people, for they were about five thousand men. He said to his disciples, Make them sit down in groups of about fifty each. They did so, and made them all sit down. He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to the sky, he blessed them, and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude. They ate, and were all filled. They gathered up twelve baskets of broken pieces that were left over. It happened, as he was praying alone, that the disciples were with him, and he asked them, Who did the multitudes say that I am? They answered, John the baptiser, but others say Elijah, and others that one of the old prophets is risen again. He said to them, But who do you say that I am? Peter answered, The Christ of God. But he warned them, and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, The son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up. He said to all, If any one desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me, for whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever will lose his life for my sake, the same will save it. For what does it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and loses, or forfeits, his own self? For whoever will be ashamed of me, and of my words, of him will the son of man be ashamed, when he comes in his glory, and the glory of the father, and of the holy angels. But I tell you the truth, there are some of those who stand here, who will in no way taste of death, until they see the kingdom of God. It happened about eight days after these sayings, that he took with him Peter, John, and James, and went up onto the mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became white and dazzling. Behold, two men were talking with him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory, and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter, and those who were with him, were heavy with sleep. But when they were fully awake, they saw his glory, and the two men who stood with him. It happened, as they were parting from him, that Peter said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here. Let's make three tents, one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. Not knowing what he said. While he said these things, a cloud came, and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered into the cloud. A voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son, listen to him. When the voice came, Jesus was found alone. They were silent, and told no one in those days any of the things which they had seen. It happened on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, that a great multitude met him. Behold, a man from the crowd called out, saying, Teacher, I beg you to look at my Son, for he is my only child. Behold, a spirit takes him, he suddenly cries out, and it convulses him, so that he foams, and it hardly departs from him, bruising him severely. I begged your disciples to cast it out, and they couldn't. Jesus answered, Faithless and perverse generation, How long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here. While he was still coming, the demon threw him down, and convulsed him violently. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. They were all astonished at the majesty of God. But while all were marvelling at all the things which Jesus did, he said to his disciples, Let these words sink into your ears, for the Son of Man will be delivered up into the hands of men. But they didn't understand this saying. It was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying. There arose an argument among them, about which of them was the greatest. Jesus, perceiving the reasoning of their hearts, took a little child, and set him by his side, and said to them, Whoever receives this little child in my name, receives me. Whoever receives me, receives him who sent me. For whoever is least among you all, this one will be great. Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he doesn't follow with us. Jesus said to him, Don't forbid him. For he who is not against us is for us. He came to pass when the days were near that he should be taken up. He intently set his face to go to Jerusalem, and sent messengers before his face. They went and entered into a village of the Samaritans, so as to prepare for him. They didn't receive him, because he was travelling with his face set towards Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from the sky and destroy them, just as Elijah did? But he turned, and rebuked them. You don't know of what kind of spirit you are. For the Son of Man didn't come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. They went to another village. As they went on the way, a certain man said to him, I want to follow you wherever you go, Lord. Jesus said to him, The foxes have holes. And the birds of the sky have nests. But the Son of Man has no place to lay his head. He said to another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said to him, Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But you go and announce the kingdom of God. Another also said, I want to follow you, Lord. But first allow me to bid farewell to those who are at my house. But Jesus said to him, No one, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Chapter 10. Now after these things, the Lord also appointed seventy others, and sent them two by two ahead of him, into every city and place where he was about to come. Then he said to them, The harvest is indeed plentiful. But the labours are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest that he may send out labours into his harvest. Go your ways. Behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. Carry no purse, nor wallet, nor sandals. Greet no one on the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, Peace be to this house. If a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on him. But if not, it will return to you. Remain in that same house, eating and drinking the things they give, for the labourer is worthy of his wages. Don't go from house to house. Into whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat the things that are set before you. Heal the sick who are therein, and tell them, The kingdom of God has come near to you. But into whatever city you enter, and they don't receive you. Go out into its streets and say, Even the dust from your city that clings to us, we wipe off against you. Nevertheless, know this, that the kingdom of God has come near to you. I tell you, it will be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city. Woe to you, Corazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which were done in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you. You Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades. Whoever listens to you, listens to me. And whoever rejects you, rejects me. Whoever rejects me, rejects him who sent me. The Seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name. He said to them, I saw Satan having fallen like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will in any way hurt you. Nevertheless, don't rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you. But rejoice that your names are written in heaven. In that same hour, Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for so it was well pleasing in your sight. Turning to the disciples, he said, all things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and he to whomever the Son desires to reveal him. Turning to the disciples, he said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that you see, for I tell you that many prophets and kings desire to see the things which you see, and didn't see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and didn't hear them. Behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said to him, What is written in the law? How do you read it? He answered, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself. He said to him, You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live. But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, Who is my neighbour? Jesus answered, A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. By chance, a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. In the same way, a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he travelled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion, came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two Denarii, and gave them to the host, and said to him, Take care of him. Whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return. Now, which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbour to him who fell among the robbers? He said, He who showed mercy on him. Then Jesus said to him, Go, and do likewise. It happened as they went on their way. He entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard his word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she came up to him and said, Lord, don't you care that my sister left me to serve alone? Ask her therefore to help me. Jesus answered her, Martha, Martha, you're anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part which will not be taken away from her. Chapter 11. It happened that when he finished praying in a certain place, one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples. He said to them, When you pray, say, Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. He said to them, Which of you? If you go to a friend at midnight and tell him, Friend, let me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey and I have nothing to set before him. And he from within will answer and say, Don't bother me, the door is now shut and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give it to you. I tell you, although he will not rise and give it to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as many as he needs. I tell you, keep asking and it will be given to you. Keep seeking and you will find. Keep knocking and it will be open to you. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. Which of you fathers, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he won't give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? Or if he asks for an egg, he won't give him a scorpion, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children. How much more will your heavenly father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him? He was casting out a demon and it was mute. It happened when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke and the multitudes marvelled. But some of them said he casts out demons by Beelzebub, the princes of the demons. Others testing him, sought from him a sign from heaven. But he, knowing their thoughts, said them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation. A house divided against itself falls. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebub. But if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore, will they be your judges? But if I, by the finger of God, cast out demons, Then the kingdom of God has come to you. When the strong man, fully armed, guards his own dwelling, his goods are safe. But when someone stronger attacks him and overcomes him, He takes from him his whole armour in which he trusted and divides his spoils. He that is not with me is against me. He who doesn't gather with me scatters. The unclean spirit, when he has gone out of the man, passes through dry places, Seeking rest and finding none. He says, I will turn back to my house from which I came out. When he returns, he finds it swept and put in order. Then he goes and takes seven other spirits more evil than himself. And they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first. It came to pass, as he said these things, A certain woman out of the multitude lifted up her voice and said him, Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts which nursed you. But he said, on the contrary, Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it. When the multitudes were gathering together to him, He began to say, this is an evil generation. It seeks after a sign. No sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet. For even as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, So will also the Son of Man be to this generation. The Queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation And will condemn them. For she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon. And behold, one greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation And will condemn it. For they repented at the preaching of Jonah. And behold, one greater than Jonah is here. No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a cellar or under a basket But on a stand, that those who come in may see the light. The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body is also full of light. But when it is evil, your body also is full of darkness. Therefore, see whether the light that is in you isn't darkness. If therefore, your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, It will be wholly full of light, as when the lamp with its bright shining gives you light. Now as he spoke, a certain Pharisee asked him to dine with him. He went in and sat at the table. When the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed himself before dinner. The Lord said to him, Now you Pharisees, cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter. But your inward part is full of extortion and wickedness. You foolish ones, didn't he who made the outside make the inside also? But give for gifts to the needy, those things which are within. And behold, all things will be cleaned to you. But woe to you Pharisees, for you tithe mint and rue and every herb, But you bypass justice and the love of God. You ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone. Woe to you Pharisees, for you love the best seats in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you are like hidden graves and the men who walk over them don't know it. One of the lawyers answered him, Teacher, in saying this you insult us also. He said, Woe to you lawyers also. For you load men with burdens that are difficult to carry. And you yourselves won't even lift one finger to help carry those burdens. Woe to you. For you build the tombs of the prophets and your fathers killed them. So you testify and consent to the works of your fathers. For they killed them and you build their tombs. Therefore also the wisdom of God said, I will send to them prophets and apostles and some of them they will kill and persecute that the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation. From the blood of Abel to the blood of Zachariah who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation. Woe to you lawyers, for you took away the key of knowledge. You didn't enter in yourselves and those who were entering in, you hindered. As he said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to be terribly angry and to draw many things out of him lying in wait for him and seeking to catch him in something he might say that they might accuse him. End of chapters 8 through 11. Chapters 12 through 16 of the Book of Luke from the World English Bible. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Andrew Coleman. The Book of Luke from the World English Bible. Chapters 12 through 16. Chapter 12. Meanwhile, when a multitude of many thousands had gathered together, so much so that they trampled on each other, he began to tell his disciples first of all, Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore, whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light. What you have spoken in the ear in the inner chambers will be proclaimed on the housetops. I tell you, my friends, don't be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom you should fear. Fear him who, after he has killed, has power to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Aren't five sparrows sold for Tuessaria coins? Not one of them is forgotten by God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore, don't be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows. I tell you, everyone who confesses me before men, him will the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God. But he who denies me in the presence of men will be denied in the presence of the angels of God. Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers and the authorities, don't be anxious how or what you will answer or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what you must say. One of the multitudes said to him, Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me. But he said to him, Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you? He said to them, Beware, keep yourselves from covetousness, for man's life doesn't consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses. He spoke a parable to them saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth abundantly. He reasoned within himself, saying, What will I do, because I don't have room to store my crops? He said, This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. I will tell my soul, Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, be merry. But God said to him, You foolish one, Tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared, Whose will they be? So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. He said to his disciples, Therefore I tell you, Don't be anxious for your life, what you will eat, nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, they don't sow, they don't reap, they have no warehouse or barn, and God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than birds? Which of you, by being anxious, can add a cubit to his height? If then you aren't able to do even the least things, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow. They don't toil, neither do they spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if this is how God closed the grass in the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, how much more will he close you, O you of little faith? Don't seek what you will eat, or what you will drink, neither be anxious, for the nations of the world seek after all of these things, but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek God's kingdom, and all these things will be added to you. Don't be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that which you have, and give gifts to the needy. Make for yourselves purses which don't grow old, a treasure in the heavens that doesn't fail, where no thief approaches, neither moth destroys, for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Let your waste be girded, and your lamps burning. Be like men watching for their Lord when he returns from the marriage feast, that when he comes and knocks they may immediately open to him. Blessed are those servants whom the Lord will find watching when he comes. Most certainly, I tell you, that he will dress himself and make them recline, and will come and serve them. They will be blessed if he comes in the second or third watch, and finds them so. But know this, that if the master of the house had known him what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore be ready also, for the Son of Man is coming in an hour when you don't expect him. Peter said to him, Lord, are you telling this parable to us or to everybody? The Lord said, Who then is the faithful and wise steward whom his Lord will set over his household to give them their portion of food at the right times? Blessed is that servant whom his Lord will find doing so when he comes. Truly I tell you, that he will set him over all that he has. But if that servant says in his heart, my Lord delays his coming and begins to beat the men's servants and the maid's servants and to eat and drink and to be drunken, then the Lord of that servant will come in a day when he isn't expecting him, and in an hour that he doesn't know, and will cut him in two and place his portion with the unfaithful. That servant who knew his Lord's will and didn't prepare nor do what he wanted will be beaten with many stripes. But he who didn't know and did things worthy of stripes will be beaten with few stripes. To whoever much is given of him will much be required and to whom much was entrusted of him more will be given of him more will be given of him more will be given of him more will be given of him more will be asked. I came to throw fire on the earth. I wish it were already kindled but I have a baptism to be baptised with and how distressed I am until it is accomplished. Do you think that I have come to give peace in the earth? I tell you no but rather division for from now on there will be five in one house divided three against two and two against three. They will be divided father against son and son against father mother against daughter and daughter against her mother mother in law against her daughter in law and daughter in law against her mother in law. He said to the multitudes also When you see a cloud rising from the west immediately you say a shower is coming and so it happens when a south wind blows you say there will be a scorching heat and it happens you hypocrites you know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky but how is it that you don't interpret this time? Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right? For when you are going with your adversary before the magistrate try diligently on the way to be released from him lest perhaps he drag you to the judge and the judge deliver you to the officer and the officer throw you into prison I tell you you will by no means get out of there until you have paid the very last penny Chapter 13 Now there were some present at the same time who told him about the Galileans whose blood pilot had mixed with their sacrifices Jesus answered them do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered such things I tell you no but unless you repent you will all perish in the same way of those 18 on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them do you think that they were worse offenders than all the men who dwell in Jerusalem I tell you no but unless you repent you will all perish in the same way he spoke this parable a certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard and he came seeking fruit on it and found none he said to the vinedresser behold these three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and found none cut it down why does it waste the soil he answered Lord leave it alone this year also until I dig around it and fertilize it if it bears fruit fine but if not after that you can cut it down he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath day behold there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity 18 years and she was bent over and could in no way straighten herself up when Jesus saw her he called her and said to her woman you are freed from your infirmity he laid his hands on her and immediately she stood up straight and glorified God the ruler of the synagogue being indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath said to the multitude there are six days in which men ought to work therefore come on those days and be healed and not on the Sabbath day therefore the Lord answered him you hypocrites doesn't each one of you free his ox or his donkey from the stall on the Sabbath and lead him away to water or not this woman being a daughter of Abraham whom Satan had bound 18 long years be freed from this bondage on the Sabbath day as he said these things all his adversaries were disappointed and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him he said what is the kingdom of God like to what shall I compare it it is like a grain of mustard seed which man took and put in his own garden it grew and became a large tree and the birds of the sky lodged in its branches again he said to what shall I compare the kingdom of God it is like yeast which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour until it was all leavened he went on his way through cities and villages teaching and travelling on to Jerusalem one said to him Lord are they few who are saved he said to them strive to enter in by the narrow door for many I tell you will seek to enter in and will not be able when once the master of the house has risen up and has shut the door and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door saying lord lord open to us then he will answer and tell you I don't know you or where you come from then you will begin to say where you come from and you taught in our streets he will say I tell you I don't know where you come from depart from me all you workers of iniquity there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham Isaac Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and yourselves being thrown outside west north and south and will sit down in the kingdom of God behold there are some who are last who will be first and there are some who are first who will be last on that same day some Pharisees came saying to him get out of here and go away for Herod wants to kill you he said to them go until that fox behold I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow and the third day I complete my mission nevertheless I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the next day for it can't be that a prophet perish outside of Jerusalem Jerusalem Jerusalem that kills all prophets and stones those who are sent to her how often I wanted to gather your children together like a hen gathers her own brood under her wings and you refused behold your house is left to you desolate I tell you you will not see me until you say blessed is he who comes it happened it happened when he went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees on a Sabbath-tweet bread that they were watching him behold a certain man who had dropsy was in front of him Jesus answering spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees saying is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath but they were silent he took him and healed him and let him go he answered them which of you if your son or an ox fell it into a well wouldn't immediately pull him out on a Sabbath day they couldn't answer him regarding these things he spoke a parable to those who were invited when he noticed how they chose the best seats and said to them when you're invited by anyone to a marriage feast don't sit in the best seat since perhaps someone more honourable than you might be invited by him and he who invited both of you would come and tell you make room for this person then you would begin with shame to take the lowest place but when you're invited go and sit in the lowest place and when he who invited you comes he may tell you friend move up higher then you will be honoured in the presence of all who sit at the table with you for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted he also said to the one who had invited him when you make a dinner or a supper you should call your friends nor your brothers nor your kinsmen nor rich neighbours or perhaps they might also return the favour and pay you back but when you make a feast ask the poor the maimed the lame or the blind and you will be blessed because they don't have the resources to repay you for you will be repaid in the resurrection when one of those who sat at the table with him heard these things he said to him blessed is he who will feast in the kingdom of God but he said to him a certain man made a great supper and he invited many people he sent out his servant at supper time to tell those who were invited come for everything is ready now they all as one to make excuses the first said to him I bought a field and I must go and see it please have me excused another said I have bought five yoke of oxen and I must go try them out please have me excused another said I have married a wife and therefore I can't come that servant came and told his lord these things the second house being angry said to his servant go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in the poor maimed, blind and lame the servant said lord it is done as you commanded and there is still room the lord said to the servant go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in that my house may be filled but none of those men who were invited will taste of my supper now great multitudes were going with him he turned and said to them if anyone comes to me and doesn't hate his own father mother, wife children, brothers and sisters yes and his own life also he can't be my disciple whoever doesn't bear his own cross after me can't be my disciple for which of you desiring to build a tower doesn't first sit down and count the cost to see if he has enough to complete it or perhaps when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish everyone who sees begins to mock him saying this man began to build and wasn't able to finish or what king as he goes to encounter another king in war will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand or else while the other is yet a great way off he sends an envoy and asks for conditions of peace so therefore whoever of you who doesn't renounce all that he has he can't be my disciple salt is good but if the salt becomes flat and tasteless with what do you season it it is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile it is thrown out he who has ears to hear let him hear chapter fifteen now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming close to him to hear him the Pharisees and the scribes murmured saying this man welcomes sinners and eats with them he told them this parable which of you men if you had one hundred sheep and lost one of them wouldn't leave the ninety nine in the wilderness and go after the one that was lost until he found it he carries it on his shoulders rejoicing when he comes home he calls together his friends and his neighbours saying to them rejoice with me for I have found my sheep which was lost I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety nine righteous people who need no repentance what woman if she had ten drachma coins if she lost one drachma coin wouldn't light a lamp sweep the house and seek diligently until she found it when she has found it she calls together her friends and neighbours saying rejoice with me for I have found the drachma which I had lost even so I tell you there is joy in the presence of the angels of God repenting he said a certain man had two sons the younger of them said to his father father give me my share of your property he divided his livelihood between them not many days after the younger son gathered all of this together and travelled into a far country there he wasted his property with rioters living when he had spent all of it there arose a severe famine in that country and he began to be in need he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs he wanted to fill his belly with the husks that the pigs ate but no one gave him any but when he came to himself he said how many hired servants of my fathers have bred enough to spare I will get up and go to my father and we'll tell him father I have sinned against heaven and in your sight I am no more worthy to be called your son make me as one of your hired servants he arose and came to his father but while he was still far off his father saw him and was moved with compassion and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him the son said to him father I have sinned against heaven and in your sight I am no longer worthy to be called your son but the father said to his servants bring out the best robe and put it on him put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet bring the fattened calf kill it and let us eat and celebrate for this my son was dead and is alive again he was lost and is found and began to celebrate now his elder son was in the field as he came near to the house he heard music and dancing he called one of the servants to him and asked what was going on he said to him your brother has come and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and healthy but he was angry and would not go in and his father came out and begged him but he answered his father behold these many years I have served you and I never disobeyed a commandment of yours but you never gave me a goat that I might celebrate with my friends but when this your son came who has devoured your living with prostitutes you killed the fattened calf for him he said to him son you are always with me and all that is mine is yours but it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad for this your brother was dead and is alive again he was lost and is found chapter 16 he also said to his disciples there was a certain rich man who had a manager an accusation was made to him that this man was wasting his possessions he called him and said to him what is this that I hear about you give an accounting of your management for you can no longer be manager the manager said within himself what will I do seeing that my lord is taking away the management position from me I don't have strength to dig I'm ashamed to beg I know what I will do so that when I am removed from management they may receive me into the houses calling each one of his lord's debtors to him he said to the first how much do you owe to my lord he said 100 bars of oil he said to him take your bill and sit down quickly and write 50 then said he to another how much do you owe he said 100 cores of wheat he said to him take your bill and write 80 his lord commended the dishonest manager because he had done wisely for the children of this world are in their own generation wiser than the children of the light I tell you make for yourselves friends by means of unrighteous mammon so that when you fail they may receive you into the eternal tense he who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much he who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much if therefore you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon who will commit your trust the true riches if you have not been faithful in that which is another's who will give you that which is your own no servant can serve two masters for either he will hate the one and love the other or else he will hold to one and despise the other you aren't able to serve God and Mammon the Pharisees who were lovers of money also heard all these things and they scoffed at him he said to them you are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men but God knows your hearts for that which is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God the law and the prophets were until John from that time the news of the kingdom of God is preached and everyone is forcing his way into it but it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tiny stroke of a pen in the law to fall everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery he who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery now there was a certain rich man and he was closed in purple and fine linen living in luxury every day a certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate full of sores and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table yes even the dogs came and licked his sores it happened that the beggar died and that he was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom the rich man also died and was buried in Hades he lifted up his eyes being in torment and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus sat his bosom he cried and said Father Abraham have mercy on me and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue for I am in anguish in this flame but Abraham said son remember that you in your lifetime received your good things and Lazarus in like manner bad things but now here he is comforted and you are in anguish besides all this between us and you there is a great gulf fixed that those who want to pass from here to you are not able and that none may crossover from there to us he said I ask you there for father that you would send him to my father's house for I have five brothers that he may testify to them so they won't also come into this place of torment but Abraham said to him they have Moses and the prophets let them listen to them he said no father Abraham but if one goes to them from the dead they will repent he said to him if they don't listen to Moses and the prophets neither will they be persuaded if one rises from the dead end of chapters 12 through 16 chapters 17 through 21 of the Book of Luke from the World English Bible this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org the Book of Luke from the World English Bible chapters 17 through 21 chapter 17 he said to the disciples it is impossible that no occasions of stumbling should come but woe to him through whom they come it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea rather than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble be careful if your brother sins against you rebuke him if he repents forgive him if he sins against you seven times in the day and seven times returns saying forgive him the apostles said to the Lord increase our faith the Lord said if you had faith like a grain of mustard seed you would tell this sycamore tree be uprooted and be planted in the sea and it would obey you but who is there among you having a servant plowing or keeping sheep that will say when he comes in from the field come immediately and sit down at the table and will not rather tell him prepare my supper clothe yourself properly and serve me while I eat and drink afterward you shall eat and drink does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded I think not even so you also when you have done all these things that are commanded you say we are unworthy servants we have done our duty it happened as he was on his way to Jerusalem that he was passing along the borders of Samaria and Galilee as he entered into a certain village 10 men who were lepers met him who stood at a distance they lifted up their voices saying Jesus master have mercy on us when he saw them he said to them go and show yourselves to the priests it happened that as they went they were cleansed one of them when he saw that he was healed turned back glorifying God with a loud voice he fell on his face at Jesus feet and he was a Samaritan Jesus answered weren't the 10 cleansed but where are the 9 were there none found who returned to give glory to God except this stranger then he said to him get up and go your way your faith has healed you being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come he answered them the kingdom of God doesn't come with observation neither will they say the kingdom of God is within you he said to the disciples the days will come when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man and you will not see it they will tell you look here or look there don't go away nor follow after them for as the lightning when it flashes out of one part under the sky shines to the other part under the sky so will the Son of Man be in his day but first he must suffer many things rejected by this generation as it happened in the days of Noah even so will it be also in the days of the Son of Man they ate, they drank, they married they were given in marriage until the day that Noah entered into the ship and the flood came and destroyed them all likewise even as it happened in the days of Lot they ate, they drank, they bought they sold, they planted they built but in the day that Lot went out of Sodom they took fire and sulfur from the sky and destroyed them all it will be the same way in the day that the Son of Man is revealed in that day he who will be on the house top and his goods in the house let him not go down to take them away let him who is in the field likewise not turn back remember Lot's wife whoever seeks to save his life loses it but whoever loses his life preserves it I tell you in that night in one bed the one will be taken and the other will be left there will be two grinding grain together one will be taken and the other will be left they answering asked him where Lord he said to them where the body is there will the vultures also be gathered together Chapter 18 he also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray and not give up saying there was a judge in a certain city who didn't fear God and didn't respect man a widow was in that city and she often came to him saying defend me from my adversary he wouldn't for a while but afterward he said to himself though I neither fear God nor respect man yet because this widow bothers me I will defend her or else she will wear me out by her continual coming the Lord said listen to what the unrighteous judge says won't God avenge his chosen ones who are crying out to him day and night and yet he exercises patience with them I tell you that he will avenge them quickly nevertheless when the son of man comes will he find faith on the earth he spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness and who despised all others two men went up into the temple to pray one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector the Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this God I thank you that I am not like the rest of men extortioners unrighteous adulterers or even like this tax collector I fast twice a week I give ties of all that I get but the tax collector standing far away wouldn't even lift up his eyes to heaven but beat his breast saying God be merciful to me a sinner I tell you this man went down to his house justified rather than the other for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled but he who humbles himself will be exalted they were also bringing their babies to him that he might touch them but when the disciples saw it they rebuked them Jesus summoned them saying allow the little children to come to me and don't hinder them for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these most certainly I tell you whoever doesn't receive the kingdom of God he will in no way enter into it a certain ruler asked him saying good teacher what shall I do to inherit eternal life Jesus asked him why do you call me good no one is good except one God you know the commandments don't commit adultery don't murder don't steal don't give false testimony honor your father and your mother he said I have observed all these things from my youth up when Jesus heard these things he said to him you still lack one thing sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor you will have treasure in heaven come follow me but when he heard these things he became very sad for he was very rich Jesus seeing that he became very sad said how hard it is for those who have riches to enter into the kingdom of God for it is easier for a camel to enter in through a needle's eye for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God those who heard it said then who can be saved but he said the things which are impossible with men are possible with God Peter said look we have left everything and followed you he said to them most certainly I tell you there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the kingdom of God's sake who will not receive many times more time and in the world to come eternal life he took the twelve aside and said to them behold we are going up to Jerusalem and all the things that are written through the prophets concerning the son of man will be completed for he will be delivered up to the Gentiles will be mocked treated shamefully and spit on they will scourge and kill him on the third day he will rise again they understood none of these things this saying was hidden from them they couldn't understand the things that were said it happened as he came near Jericho a certain blind man sat by the road begging hearing a multitude going by he asked what this meant they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by he cried out Jesus you son of David have mercy on me those who led the way rebuked him that he should be quiet but he cried out all the more you son of David have mercy on me standing still Jesus commanded him to be brought to him when he had come near he asked him what do you want me to do he said lord that I may see again Jesus said to him receive your sight your faith has healed you immediately he received his sight and followed him glorifying God all the people when they saw it praised God Chapter 19 he entered and was passing through Jericho there was a man named Zacchaeus he was a chief tax collector and also was rich he was trying to see who Jesus was and couldn't because of the crowd because he was short he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him for he was to pass that way when Jesus came to the place he looked up and saw him and said to him Zacchaeus hurry and come down for today I must stay at your house he hurried came down and received him joyfully when they saw it they all murmured saying he has gone in to lodge with a man who is a sinner Zacchaeus stood and said to the lord behold lord half of my goods I give to the poor if I have wrongfully exacted anything of anyone I restore four times as much Jesus said to him today salvation has come to this house because he also is a son of Abraham for the son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost as they heard these things he went on and told the parable because he was near Jerusalem and they supposed that the kingdom of God would be revealed immediately he said therefore a certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return he called ten servants of his and gave them ten Mina coins and told them conduct business until I come but his citizens hated him and sent an envoy after him saying we don't want this man to reign over us it happened when he had come back again having received the kingdom that he commanded these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him that he might know what they had gained by conducting business the first came before him saying Lord your Mina has made ten more Mina's he said to him well done you good servant because you were found faithful with very little you will have authority over ten cities the second came saying your Mina Lord has made five Mina's so he said to him and you are to be over five cities another came saying Lord behold your Mina which I kept laid away in a handkerchief for I feared you because you are an exacting man you take up that which you didn't lay down and reap that which you didn't sow he said to him out of your own mouth I judge you you wicked servant you knew that I am an exacting man taking up that which I didn't lay down and reaping that which I didn't sow then why didn't you deposit my money in the bank and at my coming I might have earned interest on it he said to those who stood by take the Mina away from him and give it to him who has the ten Mina's they said to him Lord he has ten Mina's for I tell you that to everyone who has more will be given but from him who doesn't have even that which he has will be taken away from him but bring those enemies of mine who didn't want me to reign over them here and kill them before me having said these things he went on ahead going up to Jerusalem it happened when he drew near to Beth's fage and Bethany at the mountain that is called Olivet he sent two of his disciples saying go your way into the village on the other side in which as you enter you will find a cult tide where on no man has ever yet sat untie it and bring it if anyone asks you why are you untieing it say to them the Lord needs it those who were sent went away and found things just as he had told them as they were untieing the cult its owners said to them why are you untieing the cult they said the Lord needs it they brought it to Jesus they spread their cloaks on the cult and set Jesus on them as he went they spread their cloaks in the way as he was now getting near at the descent of the Mount of Olives the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works which they had seen saying blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord peace in heaven and glory in the highest some of the Pharisees from the multitude said to him teacher rebuke the disciples he answered them I tell you that if these were silent the stones would cry out when he drew near he saw the city and wept over it saying if you even you had known today the things which belong to your peace but now they are hidden from your eyes for the days will come on you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you surround you hem you in on every side and will dash you and your children they will not leave in you one stone on another because you didn't know the time of your visitation he entered into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it saying to them it is written my house is a house of prayer but you have made it a den of robbers he was teaching daily in the temple but the chief priests and the scribes and the leading men among the people sought to destroy him they couldn't find what they might do they hung on to every word that he said Chapter 20 it happened on one of those days as he was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the good news that the priests and scribes came to him with the elders they asked him tell us by what authority do you do these things or who is giving you this authority he answered them I also will ask you one question tell me the baptism of John they reasoned with themselves saying if we say from heaven he will say why didn't you believe him but if we say from men all the people will stone us for they are persuaded that John was a prophet they answered that they didn't know where it was from Jesus said to them neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things he began to tell the people this parable a man planted a vineyard and rented it out to some farmers he sent into another country for a long time at the proper season he sent a servant to the farmers to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard but the farmers beat him and sent him away empty he sent yet another servant and they also beat him and treated him shamefully and sent him away empty he sent yet a third and they also wounded him and threw him out the Lord of the vineyard said what shall I do then it may be that seeing him they will respect him but when the farmers saw him they reasoned among themselves saying this is the heir come let's kill him that the inheritance may be ours they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him what therefore would the Lord of the vineyard do to them he will come and destroy these farmers and will give the vineyard to others when they heard it they said may it never be and said then what is this that is written the stone which the builders rejected the same was made the chief corner stone everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces but it will crush whomever it falls on to dust the chief priests and the scribes sought to lay hands on him that very hour but they feared the people for they knew he had spoken this parable against them they watched him and sent out spies to teach us that they might trap him in something he said so as to deliver him up to the power and authority of the governor they asked him teacher we know that you say and teach what is right and aren't partial to anyone but truly teach the way of God is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not but he perceived their craftiness and said to them why do you test me show me a denarius whose image and inscription are on it and answered Caesar's he said to them then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's they weren't able to trap him in his words before the people they marveled at his answer and were silent some of the sagacies came to him those who deny that there is a resurrection they asked him teacher Moses wrote to us that if a man's brother dies having a wife and he is childless his brother should take the wife for his brother there were therefore seven brothers the first took a wife and died childless the second took her as a wife and he died childless the third took her and likewise the seven all left no children and died afterward the woman also died therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them will she be for the seven had her as a wife Jesus said to them the children of this age marry and are given in marriage therefore they are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection of the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage for they can't die anymore for they are like the angels and are children of God being children of the resurrection but that the dead are raised even Moses showed at the bush when he called the Lord the God of Abraham the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob now he is not the God of the dead but of the living for all are alive to him some of the scribes answered teacher you speak well they didn't dare to ask him any more questions he said to them why do they say that the Christ is David's son David himself says in the book of Psalms the Lord said to my Lord sit at my right hand until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet David therefore calls him Lord so how is he his son in the hearing of all the people he said to his disciples beware of the scribes who like to walk in robes and love greetings in the market places the best seats in the synagogues and the best seats at feasts who devour widows houses and for a pretense make long prayers these will receive greater condemnation Chapter 21 he looked up and saw the rich people who were putting their gifts into the treasury he saw a certain poor widow casting in two small brass coins he said truly I tell you this poor widow has done more than all of them for all these put in gifts for God from their abundance but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on as some were talking about the temple and how it was decorated with beautiful stones and gifts he said as for these things which you see the days will come in which there will not be left here one stone on another that will not be thrown down they asked him teacher so when will these things be what is the sign that these things are about to happen he said watch out that you don't get let astray for many will come in my name saying I am he and the time is at hand therefore don't follow them when you hear of wars and disturbances don't be terrified for these things must happen first but the end won't come immediately then he said to them nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom there will be earthquakes, famines and plagues in various places there will be terrors and great signs from heaven but before all these things they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you delivering you up to synagogues and prisons bringing you before kings and governors for my name's sake it will turn out as a testimony for you settle it therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand how to answer for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will withstand or to contradict you will be handed over even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends they will cause some of you to be put to death you will be hated by all men for my name's sake and not a hair of your head will perish by your endurance you will win your lives but when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies then know that its desolation is at hand then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains let those who are in the midst of her depart let those who are in the country not enter therein for these are days of vengeance that all things which are written may be fulfilled woe to those who are pregnant and to those who nurse infants in those days for there will be great distress in the land and wrath to this people they will fall by the edge of the sword and will be led captive into all the nations Jerusalem will be trampled down by the gentiles until the times of the gentiles are fulfilled there will be signs in the sun, moon and stars and on the earth anxiety of nations in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the waves men fainting for fear and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world for the powers of the heavens will be shaken then they will see the son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory but when these things begin to happen look up and lift up your heads because your redemption is near he told them a parable see the fig tree and all the trees when they are already budding you see it and know by your own self that the summer is already near even so you also when you see these things happening know that the kingdom of God is near most certainly I tell you this generation will not pass away until all things are accomplished heaven and earth will pass away but my words will by no means pass away so be careful or your hearts will be loaded down with carousing drunkenness and cares of this life and that day will come on you suddenly for it will come like a snare on all those who dwell on the surface of all the earth therefore be watchful all the time praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen and to stand before the son of man every day Jesus was teaching in the temple and every night he would go out every night on the mountain that is called Olivet all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple to hear him end of chapters 17 through 21 chapters 22 through 24 of the book of Luke from the world English Bible this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org the book of Luke from the world English Bible chapters 22 through 24 chapter 22 now the feast of unloved bread which is called the Passover drew near the chief priests and the scribes saw how they might put him to death for they feared the people Satan entered into Judas who was surnamed Iscariot who was numbered with the twelve he went away and talked with the chief priests and captains about how he might deliver him to them he said he was mad and agreed to give him money he consented and sought an opportunity to deliver him to them in the absence of the multitude the day of unloved bread came on which the Passover must be sacrificed he sent Peter and John saying go prepare the Passover for us that we may eat they said to him where do you want us to prepare he said to them behold when you have entered into the city a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you follow him into the house which he enters tell the master of the house the teacher says to you where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples he will show you a large furnished upper room make preparations there they went found things as he had told them and they prepared the Passover when the hour had come he sat down with the twelve apostles he said to them I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer before I tell you I will no longer by any means eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God he received a cup and when he had given thanks he said take this and share it among yourselves for I tell you I will not drink it all again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes he took bread and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them saying this is my body which is given for you do this in memory of me likewise he took the cup after supper saying this cup is the new covenant in my blood which is poured out for you but behold the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table the son of man indeed goes as it has been determined but woe to that man through whom he is betrayed they began to question among themselves which of them it was who would do this thing there arose also a contention among them which of them was considered to be the greatest he said to them the kings of the nations lorded over them and those who have authority over them are called benefactors but not so with you but one who is the greater among you let him become as the younger and the one who is governing as one who serves for who is greater the one who sits at the table or the one who serves isn't it he who sits at the table but I am in the midst of you as one who serves but you are those who have continued with me in my trials I confer on you a kingdom even as my father conferred on me that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel the lord said Simon, Simon, behold Satan asked to have you that he might sift you as wheat but I prayed for you that your faith wouldn't fail you when once you have turned again establish your brothers he said to him Lord I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death he said I tell you Peter the rooster will by no means crow today until you deny that you know me three times he said to them when I sent you out without purse and wallet and shoes did you lack anything they said nothing then he said to them but now whoever has a purse let him sell his cloak and buy a sword for I tell you that this which is written must still be fulfilled in me he was counted with the lawless for that which concerns me has an end they said Lord behold here are two swords he said to them that is enough he came out and went as his custom was to the Mount of Olives his disciples also followed him when he was at the place he said to them pray that you don't enter into temptation he was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw and he knelt down and prayed saying father if you are willing remove this cup from me nevertheless not my will but yours be done an angel from heaven appeared to him strengthening him being in agony he prayed more earnestly this sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground when he rose up from his prayer he came to the disciples he found them sleeping because of grief and said to them why do you sleep rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation while he was still speaking behold a multitude and he who was called Judas one of the twelve was leading them he came near to Jesus to kiss him but Jesus said to him Judas do you betray the son of man with a kiss when those who were around him saw what was about to happen did they strike with the sword a certain one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear but Jesus answered let me at least do this and he touched his ear and healed him Jesus said to the chief priests captains of the temple and elders who had come against him have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs when I was with you in the temple daily you didn't stretch out your hands against me but this is your hour of darkness they seized him and led him away and brought him into the high priest's house but Peter followed from a distance when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together Peter sat among them a certain servant girl saw him as he sat in the light and looking intently at him said this man also was with him he denied Jesus saying woman I don't know him woman else saw him and said you also are one of them but Peter answered man I am not after about one hour passed another confidently affirmed saying truly this man also was with him for he is a Galilean but Peter said man I don't know what you're talking about immediately while he was still speaking a rooster crowed the Lord turned and looked at Peter then Peter remembered the Lord's word and said to him before the rooster crows you will deny me three times he went out and wept bitterly the men who held Jesus mocked him and beat him having blindfolded him they struck him on the face and asked him prophesy who is the one who struck you they spoke many other things against him insulting him as soon as it was day the assembly of the elders of the people was gathered together both chief priests and scribes went away into their council saying if you are the Christ tell us but he said to them if I tell you you won't believe and if I ask you will in no way answer me or let me go from now on the son of man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God and they all said are you then the son of God he said to them you say it because I am they said why do we need any more witnesses for we ourselves have heard from his own mouth chapter 23 the whole company of them rose up and brought him before Pilate they began to accuse him saying we found this man perverting the nation forbidding paying taxes to Caesar and saying that he himself is Christ a king Pilate asked him are you the king of the Jews he answered him so you say Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes I find no basis for a charge against this man but they insisted saying he stirs up the people teaching throughout Al Judea beginning from Galilee even to this place but when Pilate heard Galilee mentioned he asked if the man was a Galilean when he found out that he was in Herod's jurisdiction he sent him to Herod who was also in Jerusalem during those days now when Herod saw Jesus he was exceedingly glad for he had wanted to see him for a long time because he had heard many things about him he hoped to see some miracle done by him he questioned him with many words but he gave no answers the chief priests and the scribes stood vehemently accusing him Herod with his soldiers humiliated him and mocked him dressing him in luxurious clothing they sent him back to Pilate Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day for before that they were enemies Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people and said to them you brought this man to me as one that perverts the people and see I have examined him before you and found no basis for a charge against this man concerning those things of which you accuse him neither has Herod for I sent you to him and see nothing worthy of death has been done by him I will therefore chastise him and release him now he had to release one prisoner but they all cried out together saying away with this man release to us Barabbas one who was thrown into prison for a certain revolt in the city and for murder then Pilate spoke to them again wanting to release Jesus but they shouted saying crucify him he said to them the third time why what evil has this man done I have found no capital crime in him I will therefore chastise him but they were urgent with loud voices asking that he might be crucified their voices and the voices of the chief priests prevailed Pilate decreed that what they asked for should be done he released him who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder for whom they asked but he delivered Jesus up to their will when they led him away they grabbed one Simon of Cyrene coming from the country they laid on him the cross to carry it after Jesus a great multitude of the people followed him including women who also mourned and lamented him but Jesus turning to them said daughters of Jerusalem don't weep for me but weep for yourselves and for your children for behold the days are coming in which they will say blessed are the barren the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed and tell the hills cover us for if they do these things in the green tree what will be done in the dry there were also others two criminals led with him to be put to death when they came to the place that is called the skull they crucified him there with the criminals one on the right and the other on the left Jesus said father forgive them for they don't know what they are doing dividing his garments among them they cast lots the people stood watching the rulers with them also scoffed at him saying he saved others let him save himself if this is the Christ of God his chosen one the soldiers also mocked him coming to him and offering him vinegar and saying if you are the king of the Jews save yourself an inscription was also written over him in letters of Greek, Latin and Hebrew this is the king of the Jews one of the criminals who was hanged insulted him saying if you are the Christ save yourself and us but the other answered and rebuking him said don't you even fear God seeing you are under the same condemnation and we indeed justly for we receive the due reward for our deeds but this man has done nothing wrong he said to Jesus Lord remember me when you come into your kingdom Jesus said to him assuredly I tell you be with me in paradise it was now about the sixth hour and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour the sun was darkened and the veil of the temple was torn in two Jesus crying with a loud voice said father into your hands I commit my spirit having said this he breathed his last when the centurion saw what was done he glorified God saying certainly this was a righteous man all the multitudes that came together to see this when they saw the things that were done returned home beating their breasts all his acquaintances and the women who followed with him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things behold a man named Joseph who was a member of the council a good and righteous man he had not consented to their council and deed from Arimathea a city of the Jews who was also waiting for the kingdom of God this man went to Pilate and asked for Jesus body he took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid it in a tomb that was cut in stone where no one had ever been laid it was the day of the preparation and the Sabbath was drawing near the women who had come with him out of Galilee followed after and saw the tomb and how his body was laid they returned and prepared spices and ointments on the Sabbath they rested Chapter 24 but on the first day of the week at early dawn they and some others came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared they found the stone rolled away from the tomb they entered in and didn't find the Lord Jesus body it happened while they were greatly perplexed about this behold two men stood by them in dazzling clothing becoming terrified they bowed their faces down to the earth they said to them why do you seek the living among the dead he isn't here but is risen remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee saying that the son of man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and the third day rise again they remembered his words returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest now they were Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Mary the mother of James the other women with them told these things to the apostles these words seemed to them to be nonsense and they didn't believe them but Peter got up and ran to the tomb stooping and looking in he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves and he departed to his home wondering what had happened behold two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus which was 60 stadia from Jerusalem they talked with each other about all of these things which had happened it happened while they talked and questioned together that Jesus himself came near and went with them but their eyes were kept from recognizing him he said to them what are you talking about as you walk and are sad one of them named Cleopas answered him are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who doesn't know the things which have happened there in these days he said to them what things they said to him these things concerning Jesus the Nazarene who was a prophet mighty indeed and word before God and all the people and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death and crucified him but we were hoping that it was he who would redeem Israel yes and besides all this it is now the third day since these things happened also certain women of our company amazed us having arrived early at the tomb and when they didn't find his body they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive some of us went to the tomb and found it just like the women had said but they didn't see him he said to them foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken didn't the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter into his glory beginning from Moses and from all the prophets he explained to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself they drew near to the village where they were going and he acted like he would go further they urged him saying stay with us for it is almost evening and the day is almost over he went in to stay with them it happened that when he had sat down at the table with them he took the bread and gave thanks breaking it he gave to them their eyes were opened and they recognized him and he vanished out of their sight they said one to another weren't our hearts burning within us they spoke to us along the way and while he opened the scriptures to us they rose up that very hour returned to Jerusalem and found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them saying the Lord has risen indeed and he has appeared to Simon they related the things that happened along the way and how he was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread as they said these things Jesus himself stood among them and said to them but they were terrified and filled with fear and supposed that they had seen a spirit he said to them why are you troubled why do doubts arise in your hearts see my hands and my feet that it is truly me touch me and see for a spirit doesn't have flesh and bones as you see that I have when he had said this he showed them his hands and his feet while they still didn't believe for joy and wondered he said to them are you here to eat they gave him a piece of broiled fish and some honeycomb he took them and ate in front of them he said to them this is what I told you while I was still with you that all things which are written in the law of Moses the prophets and the Psalms concerning me must be fulfilled then he opened their minds that they might understand the scriptures he said to them thus it is written and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer from the dead the third day and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all nations beginning at Jerusalem you are witnesses of these things behold I send forth the promise of my Father on you but wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are closed with power from on high he led them out as far as Bethany and he lifted up his hands and blessed them it happened while he blessed them that he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God Amen End of the book of Luke