Study Desk

In these circumstances,^[a] a crowd of many thousands came together, so that they were trampling^(a) on one another. He began to say to His disciples first:^(b) "Be on your guard^(c) against the yeast ^[b](d) of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. ^(e)

There is nothing covered that won't be uncovered,^(f) nothing hidden that won't be made known.^(g)

Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in an ear in private rooms^(h) will be proclaimed on the housetops. ⁽ⁱ⁾

"And I say to you, My friends,^(j) don't fear^(k) those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more.

But I will show you the One to fear: Fear^(l) Him who has authority to throw people into hell^(m) after death. Yes, I say to you, this is the One to fear!

Aren't five sparrows sold for two pennies?^[c] Yet not one of them is forgotten in God's sight. ⁽ⁿ⁾

Indeed, the hairs of your head are all counted. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows!

"And I say to you, anyone who acknowledges^(o) Me before men, the Son of Man^(p) will also acknowledge him before the angels of God, ^(q)

but whoever denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.^(r)

Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven,^(s) but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit^(t) will not be forgiven.

Whenever^(u) they bring you before synagogues and rulers and authorities,^(v) don't worry^(w) about how you should defend^(x) yourselves or what you should say.

For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what must be said." ^(y)

Someone from the crowd said to Him, "Teacher,^(z) tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."

"Friend," ^[d] He said to him, "who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?"

He then told them, "Watch out and be on guard^(aa) against all greed^(ab) because one's life is not in the abundance of his possessions." ^(ac)

Then He told them a parable:^(ad) "A rich^(ae) man's land was very productive.

He thought to himself, ‘What should I do, since I don't have anywhere to store my crops?

I will do this,' he said. ‘I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there.

Then I'll say to myself, "You^[e] have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy;^(af) eat, drink, and enjoy yourself."' ^(ag)

"But God said to him, ‘You fool!^(ah) This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?'^(ai)

"That's how it is with the one who stores up treasure^(aj) for himself and is not rich toward God." ^(ak)

Then He said to His disciples: "Therefore I tell you,^(al) don't worry about your life, what you will eat; or about the body, what you will wear. ^(am)

For life is more than food and the body more than clothing.

Consider the ravens:^(an) They don't sow or reap; they don't have a storeroom or a barn; yet God feeds them.^(ao) Aren't you worth much more than the birds?

Can any of you add a cubit to his height^[f] by worrying? ^(ap)

If then you're not able to do even a little thing, why worry about the rest?

"Consider how the wildflowers grow: They don't labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon^(aq) in all his splendor was adorned like one of these!

If that's how God clothes the grass, which is in the field today and is thrown into the furnace tomorrow, how much more will He do for you—you of little faith? ^(ar)

Don't keep striving for what you should eat and what you should drink, and don't be anxious.

For the Gentile world eagerly seeks^(as) all these things, and your Father^(at) knows that you need them.

"But seek His kingdom,^(au) and these things will be provided for you. ^(av)