Luke 6
1 One (Sabbath/Jewish day of rest), while Jesus was walking through some grain fields with his disciples, the disciples picked some of the heads of grain. They rubbed them in their hands [to separate the grains from the husks], and ate the grain. [The law of Moses permitted people to do that if they were hungry].
And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he was going through grain-fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of grain, and ate them, rubbing them with their hands.
2 Some Pharisees [who were watching] said to Jesus, “(You should not be doing on our rest day [work] that [our] laws forbid!/Why are you doing on our rest day [work] that our laws forbid?)” [RHQ]
And some of the Pharisees said, Why are ye doing that which it is not lawful to do on the sabbath?
3 [Jesus wanted to show them that the record in Scriptures indicated that God permitted people to disobey certain religious laws when they needed food]. [So] he replied, “[It is written in the Scriptures] what [our revered ancestor, King] David did when he and the men with him were hungry. You have read about that, ([but you do not think about what it implies/so why do you not think about what it implies]?) [RHQ]
And Jesus answering them, said, Have ye not even read what David did, when he was himself hungry, and they who were with him?
4 David entered God’s big worship tent [and asked for some food]. [The high priest gave him] the bread that the priests had presented to God. It was permitted [in] one of [Moses’ laws] that only the priests could eat that bread. But [even though David was not a priest], he ate some, and gave some to the men who were with him. [And God did not consider that what David did was wrong]!”
how he went into the house of God, and took and ate the show-bread, and gave it also to those who were with him, which it is not lawful for any to eat but the priests alone?
5 Jesus also said to them, “[I am] the one who came from heaven, so [I] have the authority [to determine what is right for my disciples to do on] the day of rest!”
And he said to them, The Son of man is lord even of the sabbath.
6 Another (Sabbath/Jewish day of rest) Jesus entered a (synagogue/Jewish meeting place) and taught the people. There was a man there whose right hand was shriveled.
And it came to pass on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue, and taught; and there was a man there whose right hand was withered.
7 The men who taught the [Jewish] laws and the Pharisees [who were there] watched Jesus, to see if he would heal the man (on the Sabbath/on the Jewish rest day). They did this so that, [if he healed the man], they would accuse him [of disobeying their laws by working on the day of rest].
And the scribes and the Pharisees were watching whether he would heal on the sabbath, that they might find an accusation against him.
8 But Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Come and stand here [in front of everyone]!” So the man got up and stood there.
But he knew their thoughts; and he said to the man having the withered hand, Rise, and stand up in the midst. And he arose, and stood up.
9 Then Jesus said to the others, “I ask you this: Do the laws that [God gave Moses] permit [people] to do what is good (on the Sabbath/on the Jewish rest day), or [do they permit people] to harm [others]? [Do they permit us] to save [a person’s] life [on our day of rest] or to let [him] die [HYP] [by refusing to help him]?”
And Jesus said to them, I ask you whether it is lawful on the sabbath to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to kill?
10 [They refused to answer him. So] after he looked around at them all, he said to the man, “Stretch out your [shriveled] hand!” The man did that, and his hand became all right again!
And looking round on them all, he said to him, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so; and his hand was restored.
11 But the men who taught the Jewish laws and the Pharisees were very angry, and they discussed with one another what they could do to [get rid of] Jesus.
But they were filled with madness, and conferred with one another as to what they should do to Jesus.
12 About that time [Jesus] went up into the hills to pray. He prayed to God all night.
And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into the mountain to pray; and he continued all night in prayer to God.
13 The next day he summoned all his disciples to come near him. From them he chose twelve men, whom he called apostles.
And when it was day, he called to him his disciples; and he chose from them twelve, whom he also named apostles;
14 They were Simon, to whom he gave the [new] name, Peter; Andrew, Peter’s [younger] brother; James and [his younger brother], John; Philip; Bartholomew;
Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip and Bartholomew,
15 Matthew, whose other name was Levi; Thomas; [another] James, the [son] of Alpheus; Simon, who belonged to the party [that encouraged people to] rebel [against the Roman government];
and Matthew and Thomas, and James the Son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the zealot,
16 Judas, the [son] of [another] James; and Judas Iscariot (OR, Judas, the man from Kerioth [Town]), the one who later (betrayed Jesus./enabled the Jewish leaders to seize Jesus.)
and Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
17 [Jesus] came down from the hills with his disciples and stood on a level area. There was a very big crowd of his disciples there. There was also a large group of people who had come from Jerusalem and from many [other] places [in] Judea [district], and from the coastal areas near Tyre and Sidon [cities].
And he came down with them, and stood on a level place with a great multitude of his disciples, and a great crowd of the people from all Judaea and Jerusalem and the sea-coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases.
18 They came to hear Jesus talk to them and to be healed {and for him to heal them} from their diseases. He also healed those whom evil spirits had troubled.
And they that were harassed with unclean spirits were cured.
19 Everyone [in the crowd] tried to touch him, because he was healing everyone by [his/God’s] power.
And the whole multitude sought to touch him, because power went out of him and healed all.
20 He looked [MTY] at his disciples and said, “[God] is pleased with you [who know] that you lack what [he wants you to have; ] he will allow you to be the people whose lives he rules over.
And raising his eyes toward his disciples, he said, Blessed are ye poor; for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 [God] is pleased with you who sincerely desire to receive what [MTY] [he wants you to have]; he will give you what you need, until you are satisfied. [God] is pleased with you that grieve now [because of sin]. Later you will be joyful.
Blessed are ye that hunger now; for ye will be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now; for ye will laugh.
22 [God] is pleased with you when [other] people hate you, when they will not let you join them, when they insult you, when they say that you are evil because [you believe in] me, the one who came from heaven.
Blessed are ye when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile and cast out your name as evil, on account of the Son of man.
23 When that happens, rejoice! Jump up and down because you are so happy! [God will give] you a great reward in heaven! [When they do these things to you, it will prove that you are God’s servants]. (OR, [People have always treated God’s servants like that].) Do not forget that these people’s ancestors did the same things to the prophets [who served God faithfully]!
Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy; for lo! your reward is great in heaven; for thus their fathers did to the prophets.
24 But there will be terrible punishment for you that are rich; the happiness you have received [from your riches] is the only happiness that you will get.
But woe to you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
25 There will be terrible punishment for you who [think that you] have all that you need now; you will [realize] that these things will not make you feel satisfied. There will be terrible punishment for you who are joyful now; you will [later] be very sad.
Woe to you that are full now! for ye will hunger. Woe to you that laugh now! for ye will mourn and weep.
26 When most [HYP] people speak well about you, trouble is ahead for you; [it will not prove that you are God’s servants, because] your ancestors used to speak well about those who falsely [claimed that they were] prophets.”
Woe, when all men speak well of you! for so did their fathers of the false prophets.
27 “But I say this to each of you [disciples] who are listening [to what I say]: Love your enemies [as well as your friends]. Do good things for those who hate you!
But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you;
28 [Ask God to] bless those who curse you! Pray for those who mistreat you!
bless those who curse you; pray for those who are spiteful to you.
29 If someone [insults one of you by] striking you on one of your cheeks, turn your face [so that he can strike] the other cheek [also]. If [a bandit] wants to take away your [(sg)] coat, let him also have your shirt.
To him that smiteth thee on one cheek, offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak, forbid not to take thy coat also.
30 Give something to everyone who asks you [(sg) for something]. If someone takes away things that belong to you [(sg)], do not ask him to return them.
Give to every one that asketh of thee; and from him that taketh away thy goods, demand them not again.
31 In whatever way you [(pl)] want others to act toward you, that is the way that you should act toward them.
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also in like manner to them.
32 If you love [only] those who love you, do not [expect God] to praise you for [doing that] [RHQ], [because] even sinners love those who love them.
And if ye love those who love you, what thanks do ye deserve? for sinners also love those who love them.
33 If you do good things [only] for those who do good things for you, do not [expect God] to reward you [for doing that] [RHQ], [because] even sinners do that.
For if ye do good to those who do good to you, what thanks do ye deserve? even sinners do the same.
34 If you lend [things or money only] to those who you expect will give something back to you, do not [expect that God] will reward you [RHQ] [for doing that]. Even sinners lend to other sinners, because they expect them to pay everything back.
And if ye lend to those from whom ye expect to receive, what thanks do ye deserve? even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much in return.
35 Instead, love your enemies! Do good things for them! Lend to them, and do not expect them to pay anything back! [If you do that, God will give] you a big reward. And you will be [acting like] his children [should]. Remember that God is kind to people who are not grateful and to people who are wicked, [and he expects you to be like that too].
But love your enemies, and do good and lend, despairing of no one; and your reward will be great, and ye will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the unthankful and wicked.
36 Act mercifully toward others, just like your Father [in heaven acts] mercifully [toward you].”
Be merciful, as your Father is merciful.
37 “Do not say how sinfully others have acted, and then [God] will not say how sinfully you have acted. Do not condemn others, and then [he] will not condemn you [DOU]. Forgive others [for the evil things that they have done to you], and then [God] will forgive you.
And judge not, and ye will not be judged; and condemn not, and ye will not be condemned; forgive, and ye will be forgiven;
38 Give [good things to others], and then [God] will give [good] things to you. It will be [as though] [MET] [God is putting things in a basket] for you. He will give you a full amount, pressed down in the basket, which he will shake [so that he can put more in], and it will spill over the sides! [Remember that] the way you act [toward others] will be the way that [God] will act toward you!”
give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will men give into your bosom; for with what measure ye mete, it will be measured to you in return.
39 He also told [his disciples] this parable [to show them that they should be like him, and not be like the Jewish religious leaders]: “(You certainly would not [expect] a blind man to lead another blind man./Would you [expect] a blind man to lead [another] blind man?) [RHQ] If he tried to do [that], (they would both probably fall into a hole!/wouldn’t they both probably fall into a hole?) [RHQ] [I am your teacher, and you disciples should be like me].
And he spoke also a parable to them: Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a ditch?
40 A disciple should not [expect to be] better known than his teacher. But if a student is fully trained {if someone fully trains a student}, the student can become like his teacher [MET]. [So you should be content to be like me].
A disciple is not above his teacher; but every one when fully instructed will be as his teacher.
41 (Why do you notice [someone else’s small faults]?/None of you should be concerned about [someone else’s small faults] [MET, RHQ].) [That would be like] noticing a speck in that person’s eye. But you should be concerned about [your own big faults. They are like] planks in your own eye, [which you do not notice].
And why dost thou look at the mote in thy brother's eye, and not perceive the beam that is in thine own eye?
42 (You [(sg)] should not say, ‘Friend, let me take out that speck in your eye!’ when you do not notice the log in your own eye!/Why do you say, ‘Friend, let me take out that speck in your eye!’ when you do not notice the log in your own eye?) [RHQ] [If you do that], you are a hypocrite! You should first [stop committing your own sins. That will be like] removing the plank from your own eye. Then, as a result, you will have the spiritual insight you need to help others get rid of the [faults that are like] specks in their eyes.”
How canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me take out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself perceivest not the beam in thine own eye? Hypocrite! first cast the beam out of thine own eye, and then thou wilt see clearly to take out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
43 “[People are like trees] [MET]. Healthy trees do not bear bad fruit (OR, bear only good fruit), and unhealthy trees do not bear good fruit.
For there is no good tree that beareth bad fruit; and again, there is no bad tree that beareth good fruit.
44 [Just like you] can tell if a tree is good or bad by looking at its fruit, [you can tell which people are good and which are bad by looking at the way they] conduct their lives. [For example, because thornbushes cannot produce figs], no one can pick figs from thornbushes. And [since bramble bushes cannot produce grapes], no one can [pick] grapes from bramble bushes.
For every tree is known by its own fruit; for from thorns men do not gather figs, nor from a bramble-bush do they gather grapes.
45 [Similarly], good people will conduct their lives in a good way because they think a lot of good [things], and evil people will live in an evil way because they think a lot of evil [things]. The basic principle is that people speak [and act] according to all that they think.”
The good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth that which is evil; for out of the abundance of his heart his mouth speaketh.
46 “[Because people should obey what their masters tell them], (it is disgraceful that you say that I am your master but you do not do what I tell you!/why do you say that I am your master but you do not do what I tell you?) [RHQ]
But why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
47 Some people come to me, and hear my messages and obey them. I will tell you what they are like.
Every one that cometh to me and heareth my sayings and doeth them, I will show you whom he is like.
48 They are like a man who dug deep [into the ground to prepare to build his house]. He made sure that the foundation was on solid ground. Then when there was a flood, the water tried to wash away the house. But the river could not shake the house, because it was built {he built it} on a solid [foundation].
He is like a man building a house, who dug deep, and laid its foundation on a rock; and when a flood arose, the stream dashed against that house, and could not shake it; because it was well built.
49 But some people hear my messages but do not obey them. They are like a man who built a house on top of the ground without [digging] a foundation. When the river flooded, the house collapsed immediately and was completely ruined. [So it is important for you to obey what I teach you].”
But he that heareth and doeth not, is like a man that built a house upon the earth without a foundation; against which the stream dashed, and it fell at once, and the ruin of that house was great.
