11:44. Woe to you, because you are as sepulchres that appear not: and men that walk over are not aware.
11:45. And one of the lawyers answering, saith to him: Master, in saying these things, thou reproachest us also.
11:46. But he said: Woe to you lawyers also, because you load men with burdens which they cannot bear and you yourselves touch not the packs with one of your fingers.
Woe to you lawyers... He speaks of the doctors of the law of Moses, commonly called the scribes.
11:47. Woe to you who build the monuments of the prophets: and your fathers killed them.
Woe to you who build, etc... Not that the building of the monuments of the prophets was in itself blameworthy, but only the intention of these unhappy men, who made use of this outward shew of religion and piety, as a means to carry on their wicked designs against the prince of prophets.
11:48. Truly you bear witness that you consent to the doings of your fathers. For they indeed killed them: and you build their sepulchres.
11:49. For this cause also the wisdom of G.o.d said: I will send to them prophets and apostles: and some of them they will kill and persecute.
11:50. That the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation,
11:51. From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, who was slain between the altar and the temple. Yea I say to you: It shall be required of this generation.
11:52. Woe to you lawyers, for you have taken away the key of knowledge.
You yourselves have not entered in: and those that were entering in, you have hindered.
11:53. And as he was saying these things to them, the Pharisees and the lawyers began violently to urge him and to oppress his mouth about many things,
11:54. Lying in wait for him and seeking to catch something from his mouth, that they might accuse him.
Luke Chapter 12
Christ warns us against hypocrisy, the fear of the world and covetousness. He admonishes all to watch.
12:1. And when great mult.i.tudes stood about him, so that they trod one upon another, he began to say to his disciples: Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
12:2. For there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed: nor hidden that shall not be known.
12:3. For whatsoever things you have spoken in darkness shall be published in the light: and that which you have spoken in the ear in the chambers shall be preached on the housetops.
12:4. And I say to you, my friends: Be not afraid of them who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do.
12:5. But I will shew you whom you shall fear: Fear ye him who, after he hath killed, hath power to cast into h.e.l.l. Yea, I say to you: Fear him.
12:6. Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before G.o.d?
12:7. Yea, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: you are of more value than many sparrows.
12:8. And I say to you: Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of G.o.d.
12:9. But he that shall deny me before men shall be denied before the angels of G.o.d.
12:10. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but to him that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven.
12:11. And when they shall bring you into the synagogues and to magistrates and powers, be not solicitous how or what you shall answer, or what you shall say.
12:12. For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what you must say.
12:13. And one of the mult.i.tude said to him: Master, speak to my brother that he divide the inheritance with me.
12:14. But he said to him: Man, who hath appointed me judge or divider over you?
12:15. And he said to them: Take heed and beware of all covetousness: for a man"s life doth not consist in the abundance of things which he possesseth.
12:16. And he spoke a similitude to them, saying: The land of a certain rich man brought forth plenty of fruits.
12:17. And he thought within himself, saying: What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
12:18. And he said: This will I do: I will pull down my barns and will build greater: and into them will I gather all things that are grown to me and my goods.
12:19. And I will say to my soul: Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years. Take thy rest: eat, drink, make good cheer.
12:20. But G.o.d said to him: Thou fool, this night do they require thy soul of thee. And whose shall those things be which thou hast provided?
12:21. So is he that layeth up treasure for himself and is not rich towards G.o.d.
12:22. And he said to his disciples: Therefore I say to you: Be not solicitous for your life, what you shall eat, nor for your body, what you shall put on.
12:23. The life is more than the meat: and the body is more than the raiment.
12:24. Consider the ravens, for they sow not, neither do they reap, neither have they storehouse nor barn, and G.o.d feedeth them. How much are you more valuable than they?
12:25. And which of you by taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
12:26. If then ye be not able to do so much as the least thing, why are you solicitous for the rest?
12:27. Consider the lilies, how they grow: they labour not, neither do they spin. But I say to you, not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these.
12:28. Now, if G.o.d clothe in this manner the gra.s.s that is to-day in the field and to-morrow is cast into the oven: how much more you, O ye of little faith?
12:29. And seek not what you shall eat or what you shall drink: and be not lifted up on high.
12:30. For all these things do the nations of the world seek. But your Father knoweth that you have need of these things.
12:31. But seek ye first the kingdom of G.o.d and his justice: and all these things shall be added unto you.
12:32. Fear not, little flock, for it hath pleased your Father to give you a kingdom.
12:33. Sell what you possess and give alms. Make to yourselves bags which grow not old, a treasure in heaven which faileth not: where no thief approacheth, nor moth corrupteth.
12:34. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.