Part 92

Christ warns us against hypocrisy, the fear of the world and covetousness. He admonishes all to watch.

12:1. And when great multitudes 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 hell. 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 God?

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 God.

12:9. But he that shall deny me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.

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 multitude 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 God 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 God.

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 God 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.