Part 10
LXXIX. Trust in God and Coming Judgment (Lk 12:1-59)
LXXX. Galileans Slain by Pilate and a Fallen Tower (Lk
13:1-9)
LXXXI. A Woman Healed on the Sabbath (Lk 13:10-21)
LXXXII. How Many Will Be Saved (Lk 13:22-30)
LXXXIII. The Response Against Herod (Lk 13:31-35)
LXXXIV. Discourse at a Chief Pharisee's Table (Lk 14:1-24)
LXXXV. Discourse on Counting the Cost of Discipleship
( Lk 14:25-35)
LXXXVI. Three Parables on Grace (Lk 15:1-32)
LXXXVII. Two Parables of Warning (Lk 16:1-31)
LXXIX. Trust in God and Coming Judgment (Lk 12:1-59)
In the mean time, when the myriads of the vast
multitude were gathered together so as that they trampled one
upon another, Jesus first began to say unto his disciples, "Guard
yourselves against the leaven or yeast [the influence, system
of teaching the mind, and the morals of conduct] of the Pharisees,
which is histrionic hypocritical simulation: but nothing is being
wholly, fully or altogether concealed which will not be revealed
or disclosed, and secret or clandestine which will not be made known.
Wherefore, on which account, as much as you have said in the dark of
privacy will be heard in broad daylight; and what you have spoken next
to the ear in places of private retirement will be publicly proclaimed
upon the rooftops. Now I say unto you, my friends, you should stop
yourselves from being afraid of those annihilating and destroying
the body, and after these acts, not having any more to do: but I will
intimate to you whom you yourselves should fear and dread: you yourselves
fear and dread the One possessing the prerogative, power and authority
to annihilate, destroy and cast into Gehenna. Yes, I say unto you,
you yourselves fear and dread this One! Are not five sparrows being
sold for two cents? And not one of them is forgotten in the sight
of God. But the very hairs of your head have all been numbered. Therefore,
regarding those annihilators and destroyers, fear and dread them not!
You are superior to, and of greater value than, many sparrows. And I
say unto you all, of all who may accord belief in me before, in the presence
of, in front of, or in the face of others, the Son of Man will also accord
him approbation before, in the presence of, or in front of the angels
of God: but the one denying, disclaiming or disowning me in the presence
and impression of others, will be renounced, disregarded, denied
and disowned in the presence of the angels of God. Also, of all who
will speak a word against the Son of Man, it will be overlooked, passed
over, pardoned, remitted and forgiven him: but for the one blaspheming,
calumniating, reviling and contumeliously speaking with impious irreverence
against the Holy Spirit, it will not be overlooked, passed over,
pardoned, remitted or forgiven. And in case they should bring you all
in unto the synagogues, convocations, congregations or convened assemblies,
and before the leaders or magistrates, and the potentates or authorities,
be not solicitous or anxious with concern, preoccupied with thoughts
of how you might respond against their charges, or what you might
say in defense; for the Holy Spirit will direct and teach you all what
it is necessary and fitting for you to say during that very hour."
Then one out of the multitude shouted out unto
him, "Teacher, tell my brother to share a portion of the inheritance
with me." But Jesus said unto him, "Man, who placed, appointed
or constituted me a judge or an arbitrator and apportioner over
you?" And he said unto them, "You all take care and guard yourselves
from all covetousness and the inordinate desire for riches:
for any person - his life or existence is not in the full sufficiency,
growing augmentation, superfluity or abundance realized out of
the things he is possessing." And he spoke a parable unto them,
saying, "The farm-fields of a certain rich, opulent, wealthy individual
abundantly yielded and brought forth plentifully: and he was
deliberating, reasoning within himself, saying, "What can I do,
for I possess no certain place where [pou - "where" - enclitic indefinite
particle, not an interrogative] I shall gather my fruits?" And
he said, "I will do this: I will demolish my repositories or storehouses,
and construct or build greater, larger ones; and I shall gather
all my produce there in that place, plus my goods; and I will say
to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods lying in store against many
years; relax and enjoy yourself - eat [phage - "it eat" - 3rd person
singular; it should be - "you eat," 2nd person singular], drink, and
be glad, merry and rejoice."" But God said unto him, "You unwise,
inconsiderate, (religiously) unenlightened man! This very night
your soul I am requiring and demanding [apaitousin - "they are
requiring" - 3rd person plural; should be 1st person singular - "I am
requiring"] of you; and those things which you have expedited and
prepared: whose will they be now?" Thus, in this way, so is the one
collecting, gathering or accumulating treasure, stores or wealth
for himself, but who is not being rich to the extent of, or with
reference to, God."
And he said unto his disciples, "Because of, on
account of, or with a view to this I say unto you, don't be
anxious, solicitous, or concern yourself with careful preoccupation
for your life, what you all shall eat; nor yet for the body,
what you all shall put on yourself. The life is more than nourishment
or sustenance, and the body more than clothing. Consider, contemplate,
mark and observe the ravens: for they are not sowing, nor are they
reaping or gathering harvest - for which is no granary, storehouse or
barn; yet God is supporting, feeding, nourishing and providing for
them. Rather, preferably, how much better, of greater value, superiority
and excellence you all are than the birds! And who out of you all
is able to add a span to his life's duration by being anxious? If,
therefore, you all are not able to be doing the least, why are you
all anxiously worrying about the rest? Consider, contemplate, mark
and observe the lillies, how they are growing: they are not fainting,
wearied and spent with labor [Both text-types have koria - "it is
fainting with labor" - 3rd person singular present indicative. It should
be the plural koriosi - "they are fainting with labor"], neither are
they spinning [Both text-types have nethei - "it is spinning" - 3rd
person singular present indicative. It should be the plural nethousi
- "they are spinning"]; yet I say unto you all, not even Solomon, for
all his glory, was himself clothed or arrayed like one of these. Now
if God is in this way clothing the plants in the cultivated field, presently
or currently existing this day, and which are being put [It should be
the nominative plural ballomena - "are being put" - not the accusative
singular ballomenon - "is being put"] into an oven the next day, how
much more will he clothe you, you of scant faith. But deliberate not
over what you all shall eat, or what you shall drink, and be not anxious.
For the people of the world are seeking after [It should be the
plural epidzeteite - "they are seeking after" - not the singular epidzetei
- "he is seeking after"] all these things: and your Father knows absolutely
that you are needing and wanting these things. But you all seek after
the kingdom of God, and all these same things will be added unto
you. Do not make yourselves apprehensive, little flock; for your
Father wants, and is delighted, to give you the kingdom. You all
sell your goods, possessions and property, and give charitable alms.
Procure for yourselves wallets and purses which are not becoming old
and worn - a receptacle with an inexhaustable precious deposit in the
heavens, where a taking thief is not approaching, neither a ruining
moth. For where your treasure is, there in that place will your heart
(the mind as the seat of intellect, impulse, affection and desire) also
be.
"All of you, let your loins be (prepared), having
been girded about (for unimpeded travel), with lights burning
(for all to see); and all of you be like unto or resembling men
of similar force and drift, ready to recieve or accept - expecting,
looking and waiting for their own Lord - so that when he shall depart
from the feasts or banquets, coming and knocking, they may immediately
open up unto him. Fortunate are those servants, whom the Lord will
find watching (when) he does come [It should be the third person: elthe
- "he does come" - not the first person elthon - "I do come"]: truly
I say unto you that he will gird himself (for service), and will cause
them to recline (for eating), and coming to their side, will serve them.
And if he should come in the second (three hour) watch (of the night)
- even should he come in the third (three hour) watch (of the night), and
he should find, meet and discover them in this way, fortunate are those
servants. But all of you understand this: that if the head of the household
had known which hour the thief was coming, he could have watched, and
not have allowed his house to be digged and broken through. All of you,
then, be ready or prepared also, for (in) the hour you are not supposing,
imagining or thinking, the Son of Man is coming."
Then Simon Peter said unto him, "Lord, are you
narrating this parable concerning or with reference to us (only),
or is it also concerning or with reference to all?" And the Lord
said, "Who, then, is the true, faithful, trust-worthy and wise,
thoughtful, prudent steward, whom his Lord will appoint or set
[katastesei - "will appoint" - should be from the root kathistemi - "to
appoint" or "to set," not the root katastema - "determinate state,"
"condition" or "mien."] over his domestic servants and family, to
give (them) their ration with respect to proper time? That servant
is fortunate whom his lord, when he does come [Again, it should be
the third person elthe - "he does come" - not the first person elthon -
"I do come"], will find performing in this way. Truly I say unto you,
that he will appoint or set [Again, katastesei - "will appoint" - should
be from the root kathistemi - "to appoint" or "to set," not the root
katastema - "determinate state," "condition" or "mien."] him over all
his goods, possessions and property. But if that servant should say
in his heart, "My Lord is to come late," and should himself begin to
beat the boys and the girls, and to both eat and drink and to become
drunk; then the lord of that servant will come or arrive in a day which
he is not anticipating, and in an hour which he is not knowing, and
will inflict (on him) a punishment of extreme severity, and he will
appoint, allocate or assign his lot, portion or destiny with the unfaithful,
treacherous violators of the Faith. Yea, that servant knowing his Lord's
sovereign pleasure, will and behest, and not preparing, nor doing according
to, or in conformity with, his (Lord's) sovereign pleasure, will and
behest, he will be beaten, scourged, skinned and flayed with many stripes;
but the one knowing not, yet doing equal things worthy of stripes, will
be beaten, scourged, skinned and flayed briefly with few. So for each to
whom much has been given, from them will much be required, demanded and
expected: and to whom much was committed and entrusted resulting in stewardship,
of him will they expect and demand the most.
"I have come to send forth fire into or against
the earth; and how so I wish that it (the fire) were kindled already,
or it (the earth) were set on fire, already: but I have to be
immersed or baptized (with) an immersion or baptism [of vicarious
undeserved suffering on the cross], and how I am hard pressed -
seized with and affected by mental constriction, anxiety and distress
- until it can be fulfilled or realized! Are you thinking that I happened
to publicly come forth to be the author or source of concord upon
the earth? No way, I tell you, but rather dissension: for henceforth
- from the present - five in one house shall be dividing: three against
two, and two against three. They will be in a state of dissension:
father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter,
and daughter against mother; mother in law against her daughter in
law, and daughter in law against her mother in law."
And he said unto the multitudes also, "When you
all can see a cloud rising from out of the west, you at once say,
"A rainstorm is coming;" and so it occurs (as predicted). And when
a south wind (is) blowing, you are saying, "There will be a time of
hot weather;" and it occurs (as predicted). You hypocrites, counterfeits
and pretenders! You all certainly know how to discern and distinguish
the appearance of the sky and the land; but how is it that you all
cannot distinguish, judge or discern this signal juncture, marked
epoch, or special season indicated by special characterizing occurances
[e.g. the coming of Christ the Messiah with miracles]? And also, why
are you not distinguishing, discerning or judging the (one who is)
just or right between or amongst yourselves? But as you are going
before a magistrate or judge with your lawsuit opponent, put forth
diligence to endeavor and strive to settle, be excused, rid or freed
away from him while on the way [settle out of court]; lest he should
drag you down to the judge, and the judge should hand you over to the
officer or warden, and the officer or warden should throw you into prison.
I say unto you, you shall by no means come out from there until you shall
render the very last cent."
LXXX. Galileans Slain by Pilate and a Fallen Tower (Lk 13:1-9)
Now during that same time several were present
there carrying back word to him concerning the Galileans whose
shed blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrificial offerings.
And answering Jesus said unto them, "Are you all thinking that
those Galileans were themselves depraved, detestable sinners above
or more than all (other) Galileans because they have suffered such
things of this kind or sort and are dead? No way, I tell you, but unless
you can repent, you yourselves will all likewise perish and die.
How about those eighteen upon whom the tower of Siloam fell and killed
them [i.q. 9/11/2001]? Are you all thinking that they were sinners
above or more than all those people dwelling in Jerusalem [i.q. New York]?
No way, I tell you, but unless you can repent, you yourselves will
all likewise perish and die."
And he was propounding or putting forth this parable:
"A certain man was keeping a fig tree that had been growing in
his own vineyard; and he came seeking fruit upon it, and he found
none. And he said unto the vine-dresser, "Look! I come three years
seeking fruit upon this fig tree, and I find none! Cut it down! Why
is it even unprofitably occupying the ground?" And answering he said
unto him, "Lord, let it remain yet this year until I can dig around it:
and I will lay manure, and (see) if it can actually produce fruit for
the future: and if indeed not, you will cut and remove it."" [The Byzantine
text-type "ei de mege eis to mellon ekkopseis auten" is pretty much
unintelligible for the last part of verse nine. Therefore I have
utilized the Alexandrian text-type rendering "eis to mellon - ei de
me ge ekkopseis auten" instead, because it makes the most sense.]
LXXXI. A Woman Healed on the Sabbath (Lk 13:10-21)
One day Jesus began teaching in one [mia - "one"
- nominative case - not dative case] of the synagogues during
one of the Sabbaths. And behold, there was a woman affected by a
spirit of infirmity eighteen years; and she was doubled over, and
was unable to raise herself or to look up. And seeing her, Jesus called
her near to himself, and said unto her, "Woman, you have been loosed,
liberated and freed from your infirmity and are healed." And he laid
or placed hands upon her, and immediately she was restored and made
straight and erect, and was adoring, glorifying and worshiping God. But
the leading elder of the synagogue, manifesting indignation because Jesus
healed on the Sabbath, was declaring unto the gathering, "There are six
days during which men ought to work or labor: therefore you all be coming
and render and receive services during these days, and not on the day of
the Sabbath." Then the Lord answered him and said, "You hypocrite! Are
not all of you severally unbinding or loosing his ox or ass from the
stall on the Sabbath, leading him away and giving him drink? And this
woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan bound, lo, eighteen years,
(ought we) not to impel or compel her to be loosed, unbound and liberated
from this infirmity or impediment (on) the day of the Sabbath?" And in
saying these things, all those opposing him were being put to shame: and
all the gathering were rejoicing with a view to all the notable, memorable
and momentous things that were happening by means of him.
Then he was saying, "What is the kingdom of God
like, and (to) what will I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard,
which a man taking up in hand, placed into his own garden (that was)
planted in trees and herbs; and it grew and developed into a great
tree; and the birds of the air roosted in its branches" And again he
said, "(To) what will I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven
or yeast which a woman taking up in hand, hid, concealed or mixed [enekruyen
- "you concealed" - this second person singular first aorist active
indicative verb should be third person singular - "she concealed"] into
twenty pounds of meal or flour until it was all caused to ferment."
LXXXII. How Many Will Be Saved (Lk 13:22-30)
And Jesus was passing throughout cities and villages,
teaching, and making himself progress as far as Jerusalem. And
a certain Jew said unto him, "Lord, are those persons being saved or
rescued from unbelief, and brought within the bounds of salvific privilege,
few?" And he said unto them, "Strive to enter (the kingdom) through the
narrow, straight Gate (Jesus): I tell you that masses will desire, seek
and strive to enter (through some other way), and they will not avail
or be validated. Since the Master or Head of the house or family could
soon be caused to rise up and close or shut up the door [as the medium
or means of entrance, thus ending the occasion for opportunity to believe],
you yourselves could also begin to stand outside [not belonging to His
community of believers], and to knock at the door, saying, "Lord, Lord!
Open to us!" And answering he will say unto you, "I know not where
you are from." Then at that time you yourselves will all begin to say,
"We ate and we drank in your presence; and you taught in our streets."
And he will say, "I can tell you all, I know not where you are from!
Depart and get away from me, all you workers and practitioners of iniquity,
sin, unrighteousness, falsehood, deceit, injustice, evil and wrong."
There in that place will be weeping, and the grating and gnashing of
teeth, when you all can see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the
prophets in the kingdom of God, and all of you having been cast forth
outside, and expelled or forced away - rejected out of hand with contempt.
And people will arrive from east and west, and from north and south; and
all will be caused to recline at table in the kingdom of God. And behold!
(Those) who are lowest or least important (now) will be chief, principal
or most important (then); and (those) who are (now) chief, principal
or most important will be lowest or least in importance then."
LXXXIII. The Response Against Herod (Lk 13:31-35)
On that self-same day, several Pharisees approached,
saying unto him, "Get out of here and escape from this place: for
Herod is wanting and intending to kill you." And he said unto them,
"Going, you all say to this crafty, fox-like man, "Behold, I cast out
demons, and I am accomplishing healings and performing cures this day
and the next day; and for the third day, I am being brought to the
object, goal or objective of my course. Nevertheless, it is obligatory
for me to go or travel on my way, this day, and the next day, and
for the one following: because it is not possible for a prophet or
man of God himself to be put to death or perish outside of Jerusalem.
Jerusalem! Jerusalem! The one killing the prophets, and pelting with
stones those having been sent unto her alone! How often I longed to gather
your children together - even as a hen her own brood under the wings
- and you all wanted nothing (to do with it)! Behold! Your locale is (now)
being ignored, neglected, deserted and forsaken unto you all (e.g. given
over to your own management) as a lonely, abandoned ruin. And I truly
say unto you that you all shall not ever see me again until such a time
should arrive when you all shall say, "Blessing be (conferred on) the
One coming for and in (behalf of) the Name of the Lord (God)."
LXXXIV. Discourse at a Chief Pharisee's Table (Lk 14:1-24)
And it came to pass, when he went to go into a
house of one of the leaders of the Pharisees for a Sabbath to eat
bread, that they were themselves insidiously observing him. And behold,
a certain edematous man was before him. And discerning, Jesus spoke
unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, "Is it lawful to attend and
render service on the Sabbath?" And they acquiesced. And he himself taking
hold, notably healed and dismissed him. And speaking unto them, he said,
"Whose ass or ox of you shall fall into a well or cistern, and will he
not properly draw it out on the Sabbath day?" And they were not able
to respond to him regarding these things. Also, he was telling a parable
to those having been invited, when observing how they were picking out
and choosing for themselves the best and most honorable seats at the
table; saying unto them, "Whenever you may be invited by someone to
nuptial festivities, you should not recline with a view to the most honorable
seat, lest perchance one more honored or estimable than you was being
invited by the one inviting you, and he may come [The 1st person singular
2nd aorist subjunctive "elthon:" "I may come," should be the 3rd person
singular "elthe:" "he may come."] and will say unto you, "Yield this
spot to this man." And then you yourself may begin with disgrace and shame
to occupy the farthest, lowest place. But whenever you may be invited,
passing from one place to another, proceed to recline in the farthest,
lowest place, so that when the one inviting you may come, he may say to
you, "Friend, go up further and higher." Then honorable consideration will
be unto you in the presence of those reclining at table with you. For everyone
elevating and exalting himself will be abased and humbled; and the one
abasing and humbling himself will be elevated and exalted."
And he said also to the one inviting him, "Whenever
you may prepare a luncheon or a supper, invite not your friends, nor
your brethren, nor your relatives, nor rich neighbors; lest perchance
they also should invite you in return, and it should become a recompense
unto you. But whenever you may prepare a banquet or feast, invite
the indigent, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be approved;
for they are not able to repay you: but it will be repayed to you in
the resurrection of the just.
And one of those reclining with him hearing these
things said unto him, "Fortunate is he who will eat bread in the kingdom
of God." But he said unto him, "A certain man prepared a great supper;
and he invited many: and he sent forth his bondservant at the time
of the supper to say unto those having been invited, "You all come, for
it is now all ready." And they all alike began to ask to be excused. The
first said unto him, "I bought a field and I have an obligation to go
out and to see it.; I am begging and beseeching you, esteem or regard
me as having been excused." And another said, "I bought five pair of oxen,
and I will be going to examine them: I am begging and beseeching you,
esteem or regard me as having been excused." And another said, "I married
a wife, and because of this I will not be able to come." And approaching,
this bondservant enounced these things to his lord. Then the master of
the house, becoming angry, indignant and enraged, said to his bondslave,
"Go out hastily into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring the indigent,
and crippled, and lame and blind in here." And the bondservant said, "Lord,
as you charged, it has been done, and there is still room." And the
lord said unto the bondservant, "Go out into the ways and hedgeside
paths, and urge them to come in, in order that my house may be filled:
For I say unto you that not one of those individuals, having been invited,
will taste my supper."
LXXXV. Discourse on Counting the Cost of Discipleship ( Lk 14:25-35)
Now great multitudes were attending exclusively to
him: and being turned about he said unto them, "If anyone is coming unto
me, and is not regarding his own father, and mother, and wife, and children,
and brothers, and sisters with less affection, love or esteem (than
for me), and moreover, even his own life, he is absolutely and intrinsically
not able to be my disciple. And whosoever is coming after me without
taking up his cross (of self-sacrificial death to the self-life living),
he is absolutely and intrinsically not able to be my disciple. For who
out of you all, intending to build a palace, sitting, is not first reckoning,
computing or calculating the cost, whether he is holding or possessing
the (wherewithall) unto its completion? Lest, laying a foundation with
no resourcing to finish, all beholding should begin to make fun, saying,
"This man began to build with no ability to finish." Or, what king, proceeding
to engage with some other king with a view toward battle, sitting, is
not first deliberating whether he is able, arrayed with ten thousand,
to encounter the one coming against him with twenty thousand? And if (he
is) not (able to), himself being yet distant, sending forth a body of
ambassadors, he is asking the (conditions) for peace. So, then, every (one)
out of you all who is not renouncing and forsaking personal interest or
claim in all he himself is possessing, he is absolutely and intrinsically
not able to be my disciple. Salt is useful: but if the salt should be
rendered insipid, with what will it be made savory? It is neither proper,
adaptable, suitable or fit for use with soil nor for use with manure -
they are throwing it away. The (one) having ears to hear, let him hear."
[Owning possessions, loving relatives, and even life itself is not spoken
against here as wrong, but inordinate affections and covetousness which
are sins of idolatry - not putting God first. Indeed, Jesus and the apostles
relied upon relatives, friends, and those of means to carry on their ministries.
What he is saying here is to have an open-handed view towards possessions,
whether material things, relatives, or even your own life. If the earth
is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof, then treat everything as if it
were his, and yourself merely a steward of trust, where God can place things
into your hands, and take them out as needed for furtherance of the ministry.
Your ability to be an element of preservation in this life depends upon
liberation from all inordinate affections that bind or entangle, and if
you find in counting the cost of discipleship that in trying you are unable
to do these things, then make conditions of peace with the King while he
is still afar off.]
LXXXVI. Three Parables on Grace (Lk 15:1-32)
Now, all the tax collecting publicans and the sinners
who deviate from the path of virtue were drawing near unto Jesus to
hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were murmuring saying that
this one receives, admits or grants access to depraved sinners who deviate
from the path of virtue, and he is associating with them. And he spoke
unto them this parable, saying, "What man out of you all, having a hundred
sheep, and losing one of them, is not leaving or departing from the ninety-nine
in the wilderness, and is going in that vicinity after the one (which)
was lost until he can find it? And finding it, he is laying it upon his
shoulders rejoicing. And should he come into the house ["elthon:" 1st
person singular "I should come," should be "elthe:" 3rd person singular
"he should come"], he is calling together friends and neighbors, saying
unto them, "You all rejoice for me, because I have found my sheep (which)
was lost." I say unto you all that in this way (there) will be joy in heaven
in the case of one repenting sinner, (rather) than in the case of ninety-nine
righteous (persons) who are having no necessity of repentance. Or what
woman possessing ten silver dollars, if she should lose one silver dollar,
is not lighting a lamp, and is sweeping the house, and is seeking carefully
and diligently until she can find (it)? And (upon) finding (it), she
is calling around herself friends and neighbors saying, "You all rejoice
for me, for I have found the silver dollar which I had lost." Thus, I
say unto you all, there arises or occurs joy in the presence of the angels
of God in the case of one repenting sinner."
And he said, "A certain man was tending to two mature
sons. And the younger of them said to the father, "Father, distribute
the pertinent share, part or portion of the fortune falling unto me."
And he distributed the substance unto them (both). And not many days
after, gathering up all, the younger son journeyed into a distant country:
and in that place he dissipated and wasted his substance, dissolutely
living in profligate debauchery. And spending, wasting and using it all
on himself, a severe famine arose throughout that country, and he himself
began to need and to be in want. And passing along he became associated
with and attached himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he
sent him into his farms to feed pigs. And he was earnestly desiring, longing
to fill his stomach, deriving (nourishment) from the carob tree [ceratonia
siliqua] pods which the hogs were eating, and no one was supplying (anything)
unto him. But coming to himself ["elthon:" 1st person singular 2nd aorist
subjunctive "I should come," should be "elthonta:" accusative singular masculine
2nd aorist participle "coming"], he said, "How many of my father's hired
servants are richly abounding in sustenance, and I am dying for famishment!
Rising I will go unto my father, and I will say unto him, "Father, I sinned
against heaven and in your sight, and I am no longer worthy and deserving
to be called or regarded your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.""
And rising he went to his own father. But (while) alone, yet at a distance,
feeling alienated, his father saw him, and being moved with pity and compassion,
and running, he fell upon his neck, and earnestly and affectionately kissed
him. And the son said to him, "Father, I sinned against heaven and in your
sight: I am no longer worthy and deserving to be called or regarded your
son." But the father said unto his slaves, "Bring forth the best robe
and clothe him; and present a finger ring for his hand, and sandals for
the feet: and all bringing the fatted young bullock - you all slaughter
it - and feasting, I can observe a day of rejoicing: for this my (alienated)
son was (morally and spiritually) dead, and he revived and recovered, and
lives a renewed and reformed life; even was lost, and he has been found."
And they all began to feast indicating joy.
Now his older son was in a cultivated field: and coming,
as he drew near to the house, he heard dances - even music. And summoning
or calling to himself one of the children, he was asking and inquiring
what these things might be. And the (child) said unto him, "Because your
brother is come! And your father killed the fatted young bullock, because
he recovered or received him back being safe and sound!" But the older
son became angry and indignant, and was refusing to come in. Then coming
out his father was inviting, entreating and persuading him to come. But
answering he said unto the father, "Behold, I devoted so many years,
subservient, occupied in your service! And I never disregarded or neglected
your direction, and you never gave to me so much as a goat, in order
that feasting, I might observe a day of rejoicing with my friends! But
when this son of yours - the (one) squandering your fortune and substance
with prostitutes - you killed for him the fatted young bullock!" And the
(father) said unto him, "Son, you are always with me, and (as the firstborn)
all that (is) mine is yours. But (it) was necessary to be feasting, and
observing a day of rejoicing, and to be glad and joyful: for this, your
brother, was dead (in moral and spiritual alienation), and he revived
and recovered, and lives a renewed and reformed life; even was lost,
and he has been found!" [This is quite possibly a picture of Romans chapter
eight as it is usually translated.]
LXXXVII. Two Parables of Warning (Lk 16:1-31)
And Jesus was also saying unto his disciples, "(There)
was a certain rich, opulent, wealthy man, who was retaining a steward;
and moreover to him this fellow was informed against, as dissipating or
wasting his resources. And summoning him, he said unto him, "What (is)
this that I hear concerning you? Render the reckoning or account of your
stewardship; for (because of this) you will no longer be able to manage
my affairs." And the steward said within himself, "What shall I do, seeing
that my lord himself takes away the stewardship from me? (I have) no strength
to dig. (I am) ashamed to beg. I (have now) resolved or concluded what
I will put into execution, so that when I shall be removed and dismissed
(from) the stewardship, people might welcome me into their houses!" And
summoning unto himself every one of his own lord's debtors separately,
he was saying to the first, "How much are you owing to my lord?" And the
(man) said, "One hundred kegs of olive oil." And he said unto him, "Take
(in hand) your note, and sitting down hastily, you write fifty." After
that, he said to another, "Now you: how much are you owing?" And the (man)
said, "Fifteen hundred bushels of grain." And he said unto him, "Take (in
hand) your note and you write eighty." And the lord praised, commended and
applauded the steward of unjust action and deceitfulness, because he had
acted providently: for the sons of this life, world or age are themselves,
in the course of life, more prudent than the sons of light. And I say
unto you all, you all acquire and make for yourselves friends - congenial
associates - out of, by, through or with the wealth and riches of injury,
injustice and iniquity, so that, when it shall be defunct, they may admit,
grant access, welcome and kindly receive you all into the eternal, everlasting
mansions. The one faithful and true with least, is also faithful and true
with much: and the one deceitful and unjust with least, is also deceitful
and unjust with much. If, therefore, you yourselves have become unfaithful
with the fallacious wealth, who will intrust or commit to your charge the
sterling? And if you yourselves have become unfaithful with that belonging
to another, who will give you all yours? Not one household slave is able
to be occupied in the service of two lords: for either he will esteem the
one less, and delight in the other; or he will be devoted to one - while
participating in the results - and the other he will slight. You all are
not able to be devoted and occupied in the service or slavery of (both)
God and Mammon [riches or material wealth]."
And the Pharisees, being covetous and money-lovers, were
listening to all of these things also; and they were mocking, deriding
and scoffing at him [exemukteridzon: 2nd person plural imperfect active
- "you were all scoffing" should be 3rd person plural - "they were all
scoffing."]. And he said unto them, "You all are those setting yourselves
forth as good and just in the sight, estimation or judgment of men; but
God is perceiving, discerning, ascertaining by examination and marking
your hearts (as the seat of feeling, affection, impulse and desire): for
that highly esteemed by estimation to humans is an abominable thing or
abomination in the sight, estimation or judgment of God. The Law [of Moses]
and the prophets (reigned) until John [the Baptist]: from that time the
kingdom of God is being proclaimed as Good News, and everyone is earnestly
rushing and pressing forward into it. But it is easier or more feasible
for the heaven and the earth to pass away, vanish or perish, than for one
minute, fine point of the Law to fail, fall to the ground, and become null
and void. Every man divorcing, dismissing or putting away his wife, and
marrying another, is committing adultery and debauchery: and every man
marrying one that has been divorced, dismissed or put away from a husband
is committing adultery and debauchery [indicating that this is a primary
violation of the Pharisees against the Law].
"Now, a certain man was rich; and he was habitually clothing
or dressing himself in a crimson-purple garment or robe, and byssus
or highly prized fine cotton, sumptuously feasting in joyful observation
daily: and a certain mendicant indigent was named Lazarus, who had been
laid in the vicinity of his [the rich man's] vestibule or gateway, being
afflicted with ulcers, and ernestly desiring, longing to be fed, filled
and satisfied from the fragments, morsels, crumbs and bits falling down
from the rich man's eating-table; yet still more: even the dogs, coming,
were licking off clean his sores and ulcers. And it came to pass, the mendicant
indigent died, and he was carried or conducted away by the agency of sent
angels into the bosom of Abraham: and the rich one died also, and was interred
or buried. And in unto the lowest place of punishment in hell, subsisting
in torments, lifting up his eyes he is seeing Abraham from a distance,
and Lazarus in unto his bosom [should be singular]. [Souls are recognized
in the afterlife.] And crying out he said, "Father Abraham, pity me and
send Lazarus so that he can dip the tip of his finger (in) water, and can
cool my tongue; for I am being tormented in agony in this flame!" But Abraham
said, "Son, recall and remember that in your life you received in full
your good things, and Lazarus likewise, in a similar manner, evil, misery,
suffering and affliction [should be singular]: now he is at the present
time being comforted, and you are being tormented in agony. And besides,
for all these things, a great gulf or chasm stands fixed and immovable
between all of us and all of you, in order that those wishing to pass
over from this place for your benefit may not be able to, neither may those
pass over from there unto us." And he [the rich man] said, "I beseech you
then, father, so that you would send him to the house of my father - for
I have five brothers - in order that he may make a solemn and earnest charge
unto them, lest they should also come into this place of torture, torment
and severe pain." Abraham said unto him, "They are in possession of Moses
and the prophetic scriptures: let them all heed them!" But the (man) said,
"Not, father Abraham: but if some one should go unto them from among the
dead, they will undergo change and repent." And he [Abraham] said unto him,
"If they are not heeding Moses and the prophetic scriptures, neither will
they be persuaded, convinced and yield belief if someone should rise up
out from among the dead.""