Luke – Chapter 16

New Testament31 Verses

1And he said also to his disciples: There was a certain rich man who had a steward: and the same was accused unto him, that he had wasted his goods.

2And he called him and said to him: How is it that I hear this of thee? Give an account of thy stewardship: for now thou canst be steward no longer.

3And the steward said within himself: What shall I do, because my lord taketh away from me the stewardship? To dig I am not able; to beg I am ashamed.

4I know what I will do, that when I shall be removed from the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.

5Therefore, calling together every one of his lord's debtors, he said to the first: How much dost thou owe my lord?

6But he said: An hundred barrels of oil. And he said to him: Take thy bill and sit down quickly and write fifty.

7Then he said to another: And how much dost thou owe? Who said: An hundred quarters of wheat. He said to him: Take thy bill and write eighty.

8And the lord commended the unjust steward, forasmuch as he had done wisely: for the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light.

9And I say to you: Make unto you friends of the mammon of iniquity: that when you shall fail, they may receive you into everlasting dwellings.

10He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in that which is greater: and he that is unjust in that which is little is unjust also in that which is greater.

11If then you have not been faithful in the unjust mammon, who will trust you with that which is the true?

12And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?

13No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other: or he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

14Now the Pharisees, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.

15And he said to them: you are they who justify yourselves before men, but God knoweth your hearts. For that which is high to men is an abomination before God.

16The law and the prophets were until John. From that time the kingdom of God is preached: and every one useth violence towards it.

17And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass than one tittle of the law to fall.

18Every one that putteth away his wife and marrieth another committeth adultery: and he that marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.

19There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and feasted sumptuously every day.

20And there was a certain beggar, named Lazarus, who lay at his gate, full of sores,

21Desiring to be filled with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. And no one did give him: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

22And it came to pass that the beggar died and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. And the rich man also died: and he was buried in hell.

23And lifting up his eyes when he was in torments, he saw Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom:

24And he cried and said: Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water to cool my tongue: for I am tormented in this flame.

25And Abraham said to him: Son, remember that thou didst receive good things in thy lifetime, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted and thou art tormented.

26And besides all this, between us and you, there is fixed a great chaos: so that they who would pass from hence to you cannot, nor from thence come hither.

27And he said: Then, father, I beseech thee that thou wouldst send him to my father's house, for I have five brethren,

28That he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torments.

29And Abraham said to him: They have Moses and the prophets. Let them hear them.

30But he said: No, father Abraham: but if one went to them from the dead, they will do penance.

31And he said to him: If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they believe, if one rise again from the dead.

Reflection for Today

In Luke Chapter 16, we find timeless wisdom that applies to every generation. The challenges and triumphs described here mirror our own experiences, showing us that God's love and guidance are constant throughout human history. As you read these verses, consider how the principles and promises contained here can strengthen your faith and guide your decisions today. The God who was faithful to the people in this chapter is the same God who is faithful to you now. Let these words encourage you to trust in His promises and to live according to His truth.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings