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¹ Jesus said likewise to his disciples, a certain rich man had an information against his steward, for making havock of his estate. ² upon making him appear, he said to him, what information is this, I hear against thee? give an account of your administration, for you must not be my steward any longer. ³ upon which the steward said in himself, what shall I do, now my master strips me of my employment? dig I cannot: and 'tis shameful to beg: I see it now, ⁴ I must do something that will secure me a reception in other families, when I have lost my place in this. ⁵ so he sent for every one of his master's debtors in private, he ask'd the first, how much do you owe my master? ⁶ a hundred measures of oil, said he. take your bill, said the steward, sit down there, and write out one immediately for fifty. ⁷ then he said to another, how much do you owe? a hundred measures of wheat, said he. take your bill, says the steward, and write out one for fourscore. ⁸ and this unfaithful steward was commended by his master for being so provident. for they who look to this world, manage their affairs with more prudence, than those who have a prospect of a better. ⁹ I advise you in like manner to lay out your fallacious treasure in acts of charity, that when you die, they may secure to you everlasting habitations. ¹⁰ He that is faithful in a small trust, will be faithful in a greater: and he that is unfaithful in a little, will be unfaithful in much. ¹¹ if therefore your fidelity has not appear'd in the use of these transitory enjoyments, how can you be trusted with what is more lasting? ¹² if you have imbezel'd what another gave you in trust, how can he give you an estate in perpetuity? ¹³ a servant cannot serve two masters: for either he will neglect the one, and attend the other; or he will be attached to the first, and misbehave to the last. you cannot serve God and mammon. ¹⁴ The Pharisees too, who were noted for avarice, heard all this discourse, and treated him with derision. ¹⁵ but he said to them, you pretend to piety before men, which, however they may admire, is an abomination to God, who knows your real temper. ¹⁶ the law and the prophets were the only rule till John's time: since when, the kingdom of God has been proclaim'd, and all sorts of people strive to be members. ¹⁷ yet heaven and earth may sooner pass away, than any part of the law be unaccomplish'd. ¹⁸ whoever repudiates his wife, and marries another, is an adulterer. and he that marries her, that is repudiated by her husband, is an adulterer.

¹⁹ There was a rich man, who used to dress in purple and fine linnen, and pass his days in pomp and luxury. ²⁰ a certain beggar named Lazarus, was lying at his gate, and tho' cover'd with ulcers, the very dogs came and fawned upon him. ²¹ but he wanted to be fed with the crumbs, that fell from the rich man's table. ²² at length the beggar died: and was conveyed by the angels to Abraham's bower. the rich man died too, and was buried. ²³ and being in the infernal regions of torments, he lift up his eyes, and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bower. ²⁴ and he cry'd out, saying, father Abraham, take pity on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water to cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. ²⁵ but Abraham said, son, remember you had your enjoyments, when you were alive, and Lazarus his misfortunes: but now he has his consolation, and you your torments. ²⁶ besides this, there is an unalterable chasm between us and you, so that the passage from one place to the other is impracticable to those who should attempt it. ²⁷ upon which he said, father, I beg it of you, that you would send him to my father's family, where I have five brothers, ²⁸ to give them warning, lest they also come into this place of torment. ²⁹ but Abraham replied, they have Moses and the prophets, let them mind them. ³⁰ no, father Abraham, said he, they will not: but if any of the dead went to them, they will certainly repent. ³¹ Abraham replied, if they disregard Moses and the prophets, they will not believe any one, though he rose from the dead.