Luke 14:28

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible

For, who from among you, wishing to build a tower, doth not first sit down and count the cost, - whether he hath sufficient for completion;

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
“For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and calculate the cost

King James Version (1611)
For which of you intending to build a towre, sitteth not downe first, and counteth the cost, whether he haue sufficient to finish it?

King James Version
For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

English Standard Version
For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?

New American Standard Bible
"For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it?

New Century Version
If you want to build a tower, you first sit down and decide how much it will cost, to see if you have enough money to finish the job.

Amplified Bible
"For which one of you, when he wants to build a watchtower [for his guards], does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to finish it?

New American Standard Bible (1995)
"For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?

Legacy Standard Bible
For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?

Berean Standard Bible
Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it?

Contemporary English Version
Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. What is the first thing you will do? Won't you sit down and figure out how much it will cost and if you have enough money to pay for it?

Complete Jewish Bible
"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Don't you sit down and estimate the cost, to see if you have enough capital to complete it?

Darby Translation
For which of you, desirous of building a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, if he have what [is needed] to complete it;

Easy-to-Read Version
"If you wanted to build a building, you would first sit down and decide how much it would cost. You must see if you have enough money to finish the job.

Geneva Bible (1587)
For which of you minding to builde a towre, sitteth not downe before, and counteth the cost, whether hee haue sufficient to performe it,

George Lamsa Translation
For which of you, who wishes to build a tower, does not at first sit down and consider its cost, to see if he has enough to finish it?

Good News Translation
If one of you is planning to build a tower, you sit down first and figure out what it will cost, to see if you have enough money to finish the job.

Lexham English Bible
For which of you, wanting to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?

Literal Translation
For who of you desiring to build a tower does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has the things to finish;

American Standard Version
For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doth not first sit down and count the cost, whether he have wherewith to complete it?

Bible in Basic English
For which of you, desiring to put up a tower, does not first give much thought to the price, if he will have enough to make it complete?

Hebrew Names Version
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?

International Standard Version
"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. He will first sit down and estimate the cost to see whether he has enough money to finish it, won't he?Proverbs 24:27;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
For who of you that willeth to build a tower, and doth not first sit down and reckon the expense of it, whether he have (wherewith) to finish it ?

Murdock Translation
For, which of you, wishing to build a tower, doth not first sit down and compute the expense, whether he have the means to complete it?

Bishop's Bible (1568)
For which of you, disposed to buylde a towre, sitteth not downe before, and counteth the cost, whether he haue sufficient to perfourme it?

English Revised Version
For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doth not first sit down and count the cost, whether he have wherewith to complete it?

World English Bible
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?

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And which of you intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and computeth the cost, whether he hath sufficient to finish it?

Weymouth's New Testament
"Which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not sit down first and calculate the cost, asking if he has the means to finish it? --

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
For who of you willynge to bilde a toure, whether he `first sitte not, and countith the spensis that ben nedeful, if he haue to perfourme?

Update Bible Version
For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has [the means] to complete it?

Webster's Bible Translation
For which of you intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he hath [sufficient] to finish [it]?

New English Translation
For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn't sit down first and compute the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?

New King James Version
For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it--

New Living Translation
"But don't begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?

New Life Bible
"If one of you wanted to build a large building, you would sit down first and think of how much money it would take to build it. You would see if you had enough money to finish it,

New Revised Standard
For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?

Douay-Rheims Bible
For which of you, having a mind to build a tower, doth not first sit down and reckon the charges that are necessary, whether he have wherewithal to finish it:

Revised Standard Version
For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Which of you disposed to bilde a toure sytteth not doune before and counteth ye cost whether he have sufficient to performe it?

Young's Literal Translation
`For who of you, willing to build a tower, doth not first, having sat down, count the expense, whether he have the things for completing?

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Which of you is it yt wil buylde a tower, and sytteth not downe first and counteth ye cost, whether he haue sufficiet to perfourme, it?

Mace New Testament (1729)
for who of you would resolve to build a tower, without taking the trouble first of all to compute the expence, and whether he is able to finish it?

THE MESSAGE
"Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn't first sit down and figure the cost so you'll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you're going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: ‘He started something he couldn't finish.'

Simplified Cowboy Version
"But don't say you will ride for me until you've tallied the toll it will take on you. I mean, you're not going to buy a bunch of cattle that you don't have grass for.

Contextual Overview

²⁵ And there were journeying together with him many multitudes; and, turning, he said unto them - ²⁶ If anyone cometh unto me, and hateth not his own father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, further also, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. ²⁷ Whoever beareth not his own cross, and cometh after me, cannot be my disciple. ²⁸ For, who from among you, wishing to build a tower, doth not first sit down and count the cost, - whether he hath sufficient for completion; ²⁹ lest once, he having laid a foundation, and not being able to finish, all who are looking on, should begin to mock at him, ³⁰ saying - This man, began to build, and was not able to finish! ³¹ Or, what king, moving on to encounter, another king, in battle, will not sit down first and take counsel, whether he is able, with ten thousand, to meet him who, with twenty thousand, is coming against him. ³² And, if not, by any means, while he is yet afar off, he sendeth, an embassy, and requesteth the conditions of peace. ³³ Thus, therefore, everyone from amongst you, who doth not bid adieu unto all his own possessions, cannot be my disciple. ³⁴ Good, therefore is the salt; but, if, even the salt, become tasteless, wherewith shall it be seasoned?

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

intending: Genesis 11:4-9, Proverbs 24:27

counteth: Luke 14:33, Joshua 24:19-24, Matthew 8:20, Matthew 10:22, Matthew 20:22, Matthew 20:23, Acts 21:13, 1 Thessalonians 3:4, 1 Thessalonians 3:5, 2 Peter 1:13, 2 Peter 1:14

Reciprocal: Proverbs 13:10 - with Ecclesiastes 10:2 - wise Jeremiah 22:14 - I will Revelation 3:15 - thou

Gill's Notes on the Bible

For which of you intending to build a tower,.... Taking up a profession of Christ and his Gospel, is like building a tower; which, as a tower, must be laid on a good foundation; not on carnal descent and parentage; nor on a sober and religious education; nor on a civil, moral life and conversation; nor on a bare knowledge of Gospel truths and a flash of affection for them, and the people of God; but upon Christ the sure foundation; and on principles of grace formed by his Spirit, in their hearts: and this, like a tower, is carried very high; not by professing high things, but by living on high amidst a profession; by having the affections set on things above; and by looking down with contempt on things below; and by looking to, and pressing after, the prize of the high calling of God in Christ: the profession of some persons is very low; it arises from low principles, and proceeds on low views, aims, and ends; but where it is right, and well founded, it is like a tower, firm and steady, and is a fortress and bulwark against apostacy. Now what person acting deliberately in such a case as this, and proceeding with intention and design,

sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? as every wise man would, who has any thoughts of building a tower, or any other edifice: and so such that have an intention to take up a profession of religion, should sit down and well consider of it; which does not imply, that persons should delay making a profession, on whom it is incumbent; but that this should be done with thoughtfulness, care, and prudence: it should be considered on what foundation a man is going to build: whether the work of grace is truly wrought upon his soul; what be the nature and use of Gospel ordinances; with what views he takes up a profession, and submits to ordinances; what the church and minister are, he intends to walk with; and what the charge and cost of a profession; for such a work is chargeable and costly, and should be thought of and considered, whether he is able to bear it: for he will be called to self-denial; and must expect to suffer the loss of the favour of carnal relations and friends; and to be exposed to the scorn and rage of the world; a cross must be took up and bore; and great grace and strength are requisite to all this.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Intending to build a tower - See Matthew 21:33. A tower was a place of defense or observation, erected on high places or in vineyards, to guard against enemies. It was made “high,” so as to enable one to see an enemy when he approached; and “strong,” so that it could not be easily taken.

Counteth the cost - Makes a calculation how much it will cost to build it.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Luke 14:28. To build a tower — Probably this means no more than a dwelling house, on the top of which, according to the Asiatic manner, battlements were built, both to take the fresh air on, and to serve for refuge from and defence against an enemy. It was also used for prayer and meditation.

This parable represents the absurdity of those who undertook to be disciples of Christ, without considering what difficulties they were to meet with, and what strength they had to enable them to go through with the undertaking. He that will be a true disciple of Jesus Christ shall require no less than the mighty power of God to support him; as both hell and earth will unite to destroy him.