New International Reader's Version

Luke 11:31-42 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

31. "The Queen of the South will stand up on judgment day with the men now living. And she will prove that they are guilty. She came from very far away to listen to Solomon's wisdom. And now one who is more important than Solomon is here.

32. "The men of Nineveh will stand up on judgment day with the people now living. And the Ninevites will prove that those people are guilty. The men of Nineveh turned away from their sins when Jonah preached to them. And now one who is more important than Jonah is here.

33. "No one lights a lamp and hides it. No one puts it under a bowl. Instead, people put a lamp on its stand. Then those who come in can see the light.

34. "Your eye is like a lamp for your body. Suppose your eyes are good. Then your whole body also is full of light. But suppose your eyes are bad. Then your body also is full of darkness.

35. So make sure that the light inside you is not darkness.

36. "Suppose your whole body is full of light. And suppose no part of it is dark. Then your body will be completely lit up. It will be as when the light of a lamp shines on you."

37. Jesus finished speaking. Then a Pharisee invited him to eat with him. So Jesus went in and took his place at the table.

38. But the Pharisee noticed that Jesus did not wash before the meal. He was surprised.

39. Then the Lord spoke to him. "You Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish," he said. "But inside you are full of greed and evil.

40. You foolish people! Didn't the one who made the outside make the inside also?

41. Give to poor people what is inside the dish. Then everything will be clean for you.

42. "How terrible it will be for you Pharisees! You give God a tenth of your garden plants, such as mint and rue. But you have forgotten to be fair and to love God. You should have practiced the last things without failing to do the first.