New International Reader's Version

Luke 16:11-26 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

11. "Suppose you have not been worthy of trust in handling worldly wealth. Then who will trust you with true riches?

12. Suppose you have not been worthy of trust in handling someone else's property. Then who will give you property of your own?

13. "No servant can serve two masters at the same time. He will hate one of them and love the other. Or he will be faithful to one and dislike the other. You can't serve God and Money at the same time."

14. The Pharisees loved money. They heard all that Jesus said and made fun of him.

15. Jesus said to them, "You try to make yourselves look good in the eyes of other people. But God knows your hearts. What is worth a great deal among people is hated by God.

16. "The teachings of the Law and the Prophets were preached until John came. Since then, the good news of God's kingdom is being preached. And everyone is trying very hard to enter it.

17. It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the smallest part of a letter to drop out of the Law.

18. "Anyone who divorces his wife and gets married to another woman commits adultery. Also, the man who gets married to a divorced woman commits adultery.

19. "Once there was a rich man. He was dressed in purple cloth and fine linen. He lived an easy life every day.

20. A man named Lazarus was placed at his gate. Lazarus was a beggar. His body was covered with sores.

21. Even dogs came and licked his sores. All he wanted was to eat what fell from the rich man's table.

22. "The time came when the beggar died. The angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried.

23. In hell, the rich man was suffering terribly. He looked up and saw Abraham far away. Lazarus was by his side.

24. So the rich man called out, 'Father Abraham! Have pity on me! Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water. Then he can cool my tongue with it. I am in terrible pain in this fire.'

25. "But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember what happened in your lifetime. You received your good things. Lazarus received bad things. Now he is comforted here, and you are in terrible pain.

26. Besides, a wide space has been placed between us and you. So those who want to go from here to you can't go. And no one can cross over from there to us.'