Luke 12
1 While they were doing that, many thousands of people gathered [around Jesus]. There were so many that they were stepping on each other. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Beware of [becoming] hypocrites [like] the Pharisees. Their [evil influence] [MET] [spreads to others like] yeast [spreads its influence in dough].
Ngalesosikhathi sekubuthene ixuku lezinkulungwane zabantu, sebenyathelana, uJesu waqala ukukhuluma kubafundi bakhe esithi, “Qaphelani imvubelo yabaFarisi, iyikuzenzisa.
2 People will not be able to continue concealing the things that [they or other] people try to conceal now. [God] will [some day] cause the things that are hidden now to be known {[everyone] to know the things that they hide now}.
Kakukho okufihliweyo okungayi kuvezwa obala, lokufihliweyo okungayikwaziwa.
3 All the things that you say in the dark [secretly, some day] will be heard {people will hear them} in the daylight. The things you have whispered [SYN] privately among yourselves in your rooms will be proclaimed {[people] will proclaim them} publicly.”
Lokho okukhulume emnyameni kuzazwakala emini lithe bha, lalokho obukunyenyezela endlebeni ezindlini zangaphakathi kuzamenyezelwa phezu kophahla lwezindlu.
4 “My friends, listen [carefully]. Do not be afraid of people who [are able to] kill you, but after they kill you, there is nothing more that they can do [to hurt you].
Ngiyalitshela bangane, lingabesabi labo ababulala umzimba kungabikhona okunye abangakwenza ngemva kwalokho.
5 But I will warn you about the one that you should truly be afraid of. You should be afraid of [God], because he not only has [the power to] cause people to die, he has the power to throw them into hell afterward! Yes, he is truly the one that you should be afraid of! (Geenna g1067)
Kodwa ngizalitshengisa lowo okumele limesabe: Mesabeni lowo, othi esebulele umzimba, abe lamandla okuwuphosela esihogweni. Yebo, ngithi mesabeni. (Geenna g1067)
6 [Think about] the sparrows. [They are worth so little] that [you] can [RHQ] buy five of them for only two small coins. But not one of them is ever forgotten by God {God never forgets one of them}!
Intaka ezinhlanu kazithengiswa ngendibilitshi ezimbili na? Kodwa kayikho lanye yazo uNkulunkulu ayilibalayo.
7 You are worth more [to God] than many sparrows. So do not be afraid [of what people can do to you! God] even knows how many hairs there are on each of your heads, [so that if you(sg) lose one hair, he knows about it. So nothing bad can happen to you without his knowing it].
Ngempela, inwele zekhanda lakho zibaliwe. Lingesabi; lina liligugu ukwedlula intaka ezinengi.
8 I want to tell you also that if people, [without being afraid, are willing to] tell others [that they are my disciples], [I], the one who came from heaven, will acknowledge before [God that they are my disciples]. [I will do that while] God’s angels listen.
Ngiyalitshela, lowo ongivuma phambi kwabantu, iNdodana yoMuntu layo izamvuma phambi kwezingilosi zikaNkulunkulu.
9 But if people [are] afraid to say in front of others that they are [my disciples], [I] will say, while God’s angels listen, that they are not [my disciples].
Kodwa lowo ongiphikayo phambi kwabantu uzaphikwa phambi kwezingilosi zikaNkulunkulu.
10 [I will tell you] also that [God is willing to] forgive people who say bad things about me, the one who came from heaven, but [he] will not forgive anyone who says evil things about what the Holy Spirit [does].
Njalo wonke umuntu okhuluma okubi ngeNdodana yoMuntu uzathethelelwa kodwa lowo ohlambaza uMoya oNgcwele akayikuthethelelwa.
11 [So] when people ask you in Jewish worship houses and in the presence of rulers and other authorities [about your trusting in me], do not worry about how you will answer them [when they accuse you]. Do not worry about what you should say,
Nxa limiswa phambi kwamasinagogu, phambi kwababusi labaphathi, lingazihluphi ngokuthi lizazivikela lisithini kumbe ukuthi lizakuthini,
12 because the Holy Spirit will tell you at that very time what you should say.”
ngoba uMoya oNgcwele uzalifundisa ngalesosikhathi lokho elifanele likutsho.”
13 Then one of the people in the crowd said to [Jesus], “Teacher, tell my [older] brother to divide my father’s property and give me [the part that belongs] to me!”
Omunye emphakathini wathi kuye, “Mfundisi, tshela umfowethu ukuthi angabele ilifa lami.”
14 But Jesus replied to him, “Man, (no one appointed me in order that I would settle [matters when people are] disputing about property!/did anyone appoint me in order that I would settle [matters when people are] disputing about property?) [RHQ]”
UJesu waphendula wathi, “Ndoda, ngibekwe ngubani ukuba ngumahluleli kumbe umlamuli wenu?”
15 Then he said to the whole crowd, “Guard yourselves very carefully, in order that you do not desire other people’s things in any way! No one can make his life secure by [obtaining] many possessions.”
Wasesithi kubo, “Qaphelani! Limukani inhlobo zonke zobuhaga; isiqokoqela sempilo yomuntu kasikho ebunengini benotho yakhe.”
16 Then Jesus told the people this illustration: “There was a certain rich man whose crops grew very well.
Wasebatshela umzekeliso wathi, “Insimu yenye indoda eyayinothile yaba lenala eyesabekayo.
17 [So] he said [to himself], ‘I do not know what to do, because I do not have any place [big enough] to store all my crops!’
Yasinakana yathi, ‘Kambe ngenzeni? Angilandawo yokubeka amabele ami.’
18 Then he thought to himself, ‘[I know] what I will do! I will tear down my grain bins and build larger ones! Then I will store all my wheat and other goods in [the big new bins].
Yasisithi, ‘Nanku engizakwenza. Ngizazidiliza iziphala zami ngakhe ezinkulu kulalezi, besengithela khona wonke amabele ami kanye lezinye impahla zami.
19 [Then] I will say to myself [SYN], “Now I have plenty of goods stored up. [They will last] for many years. [So now] I will take life easy. I will eat and drink [all that I want to] and be happy [for a long time]!”’
Ngizazitshela ngithi, “Usulezinto ezinengi ezinhle njalo ezizakwanela iminyaka eminengi. Kholisa impilo, udle, unathe uthokoze.”’
20 But God said to him, ‘You foolish [man]! Tonight you will die! (Then all [the goods] you have saved up [for yourself] will [belong to someone else, not to] you!/Do you think that you [will benefit from] all that you have stored up for yourself?) [RHQ]’”
Kodwa uNkulunkulu wathi kuye, ‘Wena siwula ndini! Ngalobubusuku impilo yakho izathathwa. Pho ngubani ozazuza lokhu obusuzilungisele khona na?’
21 [Then Jesus ended this illustration by saying], “That is what will happen to those who store up goods just for themselves, but who do not value the things [that] God [considers] valuable.”
Yikho lokhu okuzakwenzeka kulowo ozibekela inotho kodwa enganothanga kuNkulunkulu.”
22 Then [Jesus] said to his disciples, “So I want to tell you this: Do not worry about [things you need] in order to live. Do not worry about [whether you will have enough food] to eat or [enough clothes] to wear.
UJesu wasesithi kubafundi bakhe: “Ngakho ngilitshela ukuthi lingakhathazeki ngokuphila kwenu, ukuthi lizakudlani kumbe ngomzimba wenu, ukuthi lizagqokani.
23 It is important to have sufficient food and clothing, but (the way you conduct your lives is more important./is not the way you conduct your lives more important?) [RHQ]
Impilo iyakudlula ukudla, lomzimba uyazedlula izembatho.
24 Think about the birds: They do not plant [seeds], and they do not harvest [crops]. They do not have rooms or buildings in which to store crops. But God provides food for them. [And] you are certainly much more valuable than birds. [So God will certainly provide what you need]!
Khumbulani amawabayi, kawahlanyeli, kawavuni, kawalaso isiphala kodwa uNkulunkulu uyawapha ukudla. Manje lina liqakatheke okwedlula izinyoni!
25 (There is not a one of you who can add a little bit to how long he lives by worrying about it!/Is there any of you who can add a little bit to how long he lives by worrying about it?) [RHQ]
Ngubani kini othi ngokukhathazeka angezelele ihola elilodwa empilweni yakhe na?
26 Worrying is a small thing to do. So since you cannot add to your life, (you certainly should not worry about other things that [you need to have in order to live!]/why do you worry about other things that [you need to have in order to live]?) [RHQ]
Njengoba lingeke liyenze linto encinyane kangaka, lizihluphelani na ngokunengi?
27 Think about the way that flowers grow [in the fields]. They do not work [to earn money], and they do not make their own clothes. But I tell you that [even though King] Solomon, [who lived long ago, wore very beautiful clothes], his clothes were not as beautiful as one of those [flowers].
Ake libone ukuthi amaluba eganga akhula njani. Kawasebenzi njalo aweluki. Kodwa ngilitshela ukuthi laye uSolomoni ekucwebezeleni kwakhe kazange acece njengawo.
28 God makes the flowers beautiful, but they grow in the fields for only a short time. Then [they are cut at the same time that the grass] is cut, and thrown into an oven [to be burned to make heat for baking] bread. [So they really are not worth very much. But you are very precious to] God, [and he] will [care for you] much more [than he cares for the grass by filling it with beautiful flowers]. So he will certainly provide clothes for you, who [live much longer than the grass. Why] [RHQ] [do you] trust him so little?
Nxa uNkulunkulu ececisa kanjalo utshani beganga, obukhona namuhla, kusasa sebuphoselwa emlilweni, kambe uzalicecisa kanganani na, lina bokukholwa okuncinyane!
29 Do not always be concerned about having enough to eat and drink, and do not be worrying about those things.
Lingazihluphi ezinhliziyweni zenu ngokuthi lizakudlani kumbe lizanathani; lingakhathazeki ngalokho.
30 The people who do not know God are always worried about such things. But your Father [in heaven] knows that you need those things, [so you should not worry about them].
Ngoba umhlaba wabezizwe uxotshana lezinto ezinjalo, ikanti uYihlo uyazi ukuthi liyazidinga.
31 Instead, be concerned about letting [God] completely direct [your life]. Then [he] will also give you enough of the things [you need].
Kodwa funani umbuso wakhe, zonke lezizinto lizaziphiwa lazo.
32 [You who are my disciples are like a] small flock of sheep, [and I am like your shepherd]. So you should not be afraid. Your Father [in heaven] wants to let you rule with him [in heaven].
Lingesabi, mhlambi omncane, ngoba uYihlo uthandile ukulipha umbuso.
33 [So now] sell the things that you own. Give [the money that you get for those things] to poor people. [If you do that, it will be as though] you are providing for yourselves purses that will not wear out, and [God will give] you a treasure in heaven that will always be safe. There, no thief can come near [to steal it], and no termite can destroy it.
Thengisani impahla yenu liphe abampofu. Zidingeleni izikhwama ezingagugiyo, inotho ezulwini engayikuphela, lapho okungasondeli khona isela loba impehlane engabhubhisi khona.
34 Remember that [the things] that you [think are the most] valuable are [the things] that you will be constantly concerned about.”
Ngoba lapho okulenotho yakho khona, inhliziyo yakho layo ilapho.”
35 “Be always ready [for doing God’s work] [MET], like [people] who have put on their work clothes and are ready [during the day], with their lamps burning all night.
“Gqokani lilindele inkonzo lezibane zenu zihlale zibhebha
36 Be [ready for me to return] [MET], like servants who are waiting for their master to return after being at a wedding feast [for several days]. They are [waiting to] open the door for him and [start working for him again] as soon as he arrives and knocks at the door.
njengamadoda elindele inkosi yawo ukuba ibuye edilini lomthimba ukuze kuthi nxa ifika iqoqoda aphange ayivulele umnyango.
37 If those servants are awake when he returns, [he will] be very pleased with them. I will tell you this: He will put on [the kind of clothes] that servants wear and tell them to sit down, and he will serve them a meal.
Kuzakuba kuhle kulezozinceku inkosi yazo ezazifica zilindile nxa ifika. Ngilitshela iqiniso ukuthi yona izagqokela ukubaphakela, bona bahlale etafuleni, yona ibaphakele.
38 [Even] if he comes between midnight and sunrise, if he finds that his servants are [awake and] ready [for him], he will be very pleased with them.
Kuzakuba kuhle kulezozinceku inkosi yazo ezazifica zilindile loba ingabe ifika ngomlindo wesibili loba owesithathu ebusuku.
39 But you must also remember this: If owners of a house knew what time a thief was coming, they [would stay awake and] would not allow their house to be broken into [and their goods to be stolen] {[the thief] to break into the house [and steal their goods]}.
Kodwa zwisisani lokhu: Aluba umninindlu ubesazi ukuthi isela lizafika ngasiphi isikhathi ubengasoze ayekele indlu yakhe igqekezwe.
40 Similarly, you must be ready [for me to return], because [I], the one who came from heaven, will come [again] at a time when you do not expect [me to come].”
Lani hlalani lilindile ngoba iNdodana yoMuntu izafika ngesikhathi elingayilindelanga ngaso.”
41 Peter said, “Lord, are you [(sg)] speaking this illustration [only] for us or for everyone [else also]?”
UPhethro wabuza wathi, “Nkosi, umzekeliso lo uwuqondise kithi kumbe ebantwini bonke na?”
42 The Lord replied, “[I am saying it for you and for anyone else] [MET, RHQ] who is like a faithful and wise manager in his master’s house. His master appoints him to [supervise affairs in his house] and to give all the [other] servants their food at the proper time. [Then he leaves on a long trip].
INkosi yaphendula yathi, “Ngubani kambe ongumphathi othembekileyo, ohlakaniphileyo, othi inkosi yakhe imbeke ukukhangela izisebenzi zayo ukuba aziphe isabelo sazo sokudla ngesikhathi esifaneleyo?
43 If the servant is doing that work when his master returns, [his master] will be very pleased with him.
Kuzakuba kuhle kuleyo nceku inkosi ezayifica isenza njalo ekuphendukeni kwayo.
44 I tell you this: His master will appoint him to supervise all of his affairs [permanently].
Ngilitshela iqiniso, izakumbeka ukuthi aphathe yonke impahla yayo.
45 But that servant might think to himself, ‘My master [has been away] for a long time, [so he probably will] not return soon [and find out what I am doing].’ [Then he might] start to beat the [other] servants, both male and female ones. [He might also start] to eat [a lot of food] and get drunk.
Kodwa cabanga nxa inceku ingazitshela ithi, ‘Inkosi yami isiphuzile ukubuya,’ ibisiqalisa ukutshaya ezinye izisebenzi zesilisa lezesifazane, ibisisidla, inatha idakwe.
46 [If he does that, and if] his master returns on a day when the servant does not expect him, then his master will (cut him into two pieces/punish him severely) [HYP] and put him [in the place where he puts all] those who do not [serve him] faithfully.
Inkosi yaleyonceku izabuya ngosuku engacatshangelwa khona langesikhathi inceku engasaziyo. Izayiqumaquma iyiphe indawo phakathi kwabangakholwayo.
47 Every servant who knows what his master wants him to do but who does not get himself ready and does not do what his master desires will be beaten severely {[The master] will beat severely every servant who knows what his master wants him to do but who does not get himself ready and does not do what his master desires}.
Leyonceku ethi ikwazi okufunwa yinkosi yayo kodwa ingalindi kumbe ingalungisi lokho inkosi yayo ekufunayo izatshaywa okuzwayo.
48 But every [servant] who did not know [what his master wanted] him to do, and who did things for which he deserved to be punished, will be beaten lightly {[the master] will beat lightly every [servant] who did not know [what his master wanted] him to do and did the things for which he deserved that [his master] would beat him}. [God will treat his people similarly, because he] expects a lot from those people whom [he] has allowed [to understand a lot]. People who entrust things [to others’ care] expect those people [to care for those things] very well. Similarly, [God] expects a lot from those people whom he has allowed [to understand a lot]. Furthermore, he expects the most from people to whom he has given the most [ability].”
Kodwa lowo ongaziyo njalo owenza izinto eziholela ekubhujisweni uzatshaywa mbijana. Kulowo ophiwe okunengi, kuzafuneka okunengi kuye; lakulowo ogciniswe okunengi, kuzafuneka okunengi kulalokho.”
49 “I came to earth to cause [there to be trials] [MET], [which will purify you as] fire [purifies metal] (OR, to cause judgment/divisions among you). I wish that the time when [you] will be purified {when [God] will purify you} (OR, when divisions will be caused {to cause divisions among people}) had already begun.
“Ngilande ukuzalumathisa umlilo emhlabeni, ngize ngifise ukuthi ngabe uvele usungunguma!
50 I must soon suffer [IDM] greatly. I am distressed, and I will continue to be distressed until my suffering is finished.
Kodwa ngiseselobhaphathizo okusamele ngilungene, kodwa ngikhathazekile kakhulu kuze kugcwaliseke lokho!
51 Do you think that as a result of my coming to earth people will live together peacefully? No! I must tell you, [that is not what will happen! Instead, people] will be divided.
Licabanga ukuthi ngalanda ukuletha ukuthula emhlabeni na? Hatshi, zwanini, ngalanda ukuzehlukanisa.
52 Because some people in one house [will believe in me and some will not], they will be divided. [For example], three people in one house [who do not believe in me] will oppose two [who do believe], or two [who do not believe in me] will oppose three [who do believe].
Kusukela manje bazakuthi bebahlanu emulini behlukane, abathathu bexabana lababili, lababili bexabana labathathu.
53 A man will oppose his son, or a son will oppose his father. A woman will oppose her daughter, or a woman will oppose her mother. A woman will oppose her daughter-in-law, or a woman will oppose her mother-in-law.”
Bazakwehlukana, uyise axabane lendodana, indodana ixabane loyise, unina lendodakazi, indodakazi ixabane lonina, uninazala axabane lomalukazana, umalukazana loninazala.”
54 He [also] said to the crowds, “[In this country], when you see a [dark] cloud forming in the west, you immediately say ‘It is going to rain!’ and that is what happens.
Wathi exukwini labantu: “Lithi lingabona iyezi liqhamuka entshonalanga liphange lithi, ‘Izulu lizakuna,’ lakanye line.
55 [In this region], when the wind blows from the south, you say, ‘It is going to be a very hot day!’ and that is what happens.
Kuthi kungavunguza umoya weningizimu lithi, ‘Kuzatshisa,’ lakanye kube njalo.
56 You hypocrites! By observing the clouds and the wind, you are able to discern what is happening regarding [the weather]. It is disgusting that you are not able to discern [what God is doing] at this present time [RHQ]!
Bazenzisi! Liyakwazi ukuchaza izibonakaliso zomhlaba lezomkhathi. Kungani pho lingakwazi ukuchaza isikhathi lesi esikuso na?
57 (Each of you ought to determine now what is the right thing for you to do, [while you still have time to do that]!/Why cannot each of you determine what is the right [thing for you to do now while you still have time to do that]?) [RHQ]
Kungani kanti lingaziboneli lina ngokwenu okuyikho okulungileyo na?
58 [If you do not do that, God will punish you] [MET]. [It will be like what happens when] someone takes one of you to court, saying that you [(sg)] have done something very bad. You should try to settle things with him while you are still on the way to the court. If he forces you to go to the judge, the judge will decide that you are guilty and put you into the hands of the court officer. Then that officer will put you in prison.
Nxa uhamba lalowo okumangalelayo lisiya kumahluleli, zama ngamandla ukuthi liqedelane lisesendleleni, funa akudonsele kumahluleli, lomahluleli abesekudlulisela enxuseni lona inxusa likuthele entolongweni.
59 I tell you that if you go to prison, you will never get out, [because you will never be able to] pay every bit [of what the judge says you owe] [MET]. [Similarly, you ought to settle accounts with God before you die, too].”
Ngiyakutshela, kawusoze uphume uze uhlawule kanye lohlamvana lokucina lwemali.”
