Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

When a vast crowd had gathered, so densely packed that they were stepping on each other, Jesus began to say to his disciples first of all, "Beware of the hypocrisy that is like leaven in the Pharisees. But there's nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and nothing hidden that will not be known.

Whatever you have spoken in secret will be heard openly, and what you have whispered in private rooms will be proclaimed from the rooftops. I'm telling you, my friends, don't be afraid of those who can kill the body but have no power over your soul. But I warn you: fear him who, after killing, has power to cast into hell – yes, I say to you, Fear him.

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies, and none of them is forgotten in God's sight? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered; don't be afraid, because you are of more value than many sparrows. Whoever confesses me before people, I will also confess them before the angels of God. But he who denies me before people will be denied before the angels of God.

Whoever speaks against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not receive forgiveness. When they bring you before synagogues, magistrates, and powers, don't worry about what to say or how to respond – The Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you should say.

One of the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide our inheritance with me." He replied, "Man, who appointed me your judge or arbitrator? Take heed and beware of covetousness: for a person's life does not consist in the abundance of the things they possess."

A certain rich man had an extremely fertile ground that produced plentifully. He thought to himself, "What shall I do, because I have no room to store my grain?" So he said, "I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, where I will store all my grain and goods." Then he would say to his soul, "You have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry."

But God spoke to him, saying, "Foolish one! Tonight your soul will be demanded of you. Then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided?" The rich man was not rich toward God. I'm telling you, do not worry about 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.

Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. How much more are you better than the birds? Which of you, by worrying, can add even one inch to his height?

If you're not able to do even the smallest things, why are you anxious about all the rest? Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which is today in the field and tomorrow cast into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith?

Don't seek what you shall eat or what you shall drink, but be of good cheer, knowing that your Father knows that you have need of these things. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you have need of them. Seek the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you.

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give to those in need, providing yourselves with purses that won't wear out – treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief can break in or moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps burning; And you yourselves be like men who wait for their lord when he returns from the wedding. Blessed are those servants whom their Lord finds watching when he comes – for he will gird himself to serve them at table.

And if he shall come in the second watch or in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. If the master of the house had known at what hour the thief would come, he would have been watching and not allowed his house to be broken into – Be ready also; for at an unexpected hour the Son of Man is coming.

Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, are you speaking this parable to us or even to all people?" The Lord replied, "Who then is that faithful and wise steward whom his lord will appoint to oversee his household, giving them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his lord finds faithfully carrying out his duties when he comes – He will make him ruler over all that he has.

But if the servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his return,' and begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and eat and drink with drunkards – The Lord of that servant will come in a day when he's not expecting him, and at an hour he does not know, to cut him in two and assign his portion with the unbelievers.

The servant who knew his lord's will but did not prepare himself or act accordingly will be beaten with many stripes. But he who is unaware and has committed things deserving of punishment will be beaten with few blows – for to whom much is given, much will be required; and from him to whom they have entrusted much, they will demand even more.

I am come to cast fire on the earth, and what will I if it's already kindled? I have a baptism to undergo, and I am deeply troubled until it's accomplished. I came to bring division – not peace on earth.

From henceforth there will be divisions within households; with three against two and two against three. The family will be torn apart: fathers against their sons and mothers against their daughters; mothers-in-law against their daughters-in-law, and daughters-in-law against their mothers-in-law.

When you see a cloud rising from the west, you immediately say, "A shower is coming," and that's exactly what happens – When you see the south wind blowing, you say there will be heat, and it happens. You hypocrites, you can discern the signs of changing weather and the earth's seasons, but how is it that you do not discern this time?

And why do you judge your own brothers, failing to judge what is right in your own lives? When you go to court with your accuser, be diligent on the way to settle the matter before it goes further – lest he drag you off to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the bailiff, and you are thrown into prison.

You will not leave that house until you have paid the last cent.