Luke 13

There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

At that time, some people informed Him about the Galileans, whose lives Pilate had brutally ended amidst their religious rituals.

And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?

In response, Jesus asked them, "Do you think these Galileans were the worst sinners, just because they suffered so much?"

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

No, unless you change your ways and seek forgiveness, you're all heading towards destruction.

Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?

Do you believe that the eighteen people killed by the falling tower in Siloam were the worst sinners in Jerusalem?

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

No, unless you change your ways, you're all heading towards destruction.

He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.

He shared this story: A man had a fig tree in his vineyard. He eagerly looked for fruit on it, but found none. His heart sank with disappointment.

Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?

He turned to his gardener and said, "For three years, I've searched for fruit on this fig tree but found nothing. Chop it down! Why should it waste our soil?"

And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:

In response, he pleaded, "Master, please give it another year. I'll take care of it, nurture it, and fertilize it."

And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

If it produces fruit, that's great. But if it doesn't, then it's time to let it go.

And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.

He passionately shared his wisdom in a synagogue during the sacred Sabbath.

And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.

Imagine a woman, burdened by illness for 18 long years, so bent over that she couldn't even stand straight.

And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.

When Jesus spotted her, he gently beckoned her over. With a compassionate gaze, he told her, "Dear lady, you are now free from your suffering."

And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

He gently touched her, and in an instant, she stood tall, her heart overflowing with gratitude towards God.

And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.

The synagogue leader was upset because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath. He told the crowd, "We have six days to work and heal. Let's not do it on the Sabbath."

The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?

Then the Lord responded, "You pretender! Don't you all free your animals on the Sabbath and take them to drink?"

And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?

Shouldn't this woman, a descendant of Abraham, who has been trapped by evil for eighteen long years, be set free on this holy day?

And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.

After he spoke, his critics were silenced, filled with shame. Meanwhile, the crowd was overjoyed, celebrating the wonderful things he had done.

Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?

He asked, "What can we compare God's kingdom to? How can I explain it?"

It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.

It's like a tiny mustard seed that a man planted in his garden. As it grew into a mighty tree, birds found shelter in its branches.

And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?

Once more, he pondered, "How can I best describe the realm of God?"

It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

It's like yeast, that a woman mixed into a large amount of dough, patiently waiting until every bit of it rose.

And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.

He traveled from town to town, passionately teaching, his heart set on reaching Jerusalem.

Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,

Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" And he replied,

Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Passionately pursue the path of righteousness, for it's narrow and challenging. Many will try and fail to walk it.

When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

Once the head of the house is awake and has locked the door, you may find yourself outside, knocking and pleading, "Sir, Sir, let us in." But he will reply, "I don't recognize you."

Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.

You'll start to say, "We've shared meals with you, and you've guided us in our own neighborhoods."

But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

He will firmly declare, "I don't recognize you or where you're from; leave my presence, all who do evil."

There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

Tears will flow and hearts will ache when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in God's kingdom, while you are left outside.

And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.

People will arrive from every direction - east, west, north, and south, to find their place in God's kingdom.

And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

In the end, those who were once last will lead, and those who were once first will follow.

The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.

On that day, some Pharisees approached him, urgently warning, "Leave this place now, for Herod seeks to end your life."

And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.

He told them, "Go, let that cunning one know, I'm driving out evil and healing today and tomorrow. On the third day, I'll reach my full potential."

Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.

Despite the challenges, I must continue my journey today, tomorrow, and the day after. Because it's unthinkable for a prophet to meet his end anywhere but Jerusalem.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

Oh Jerusalem, my beloved city, you who have hurt your guides and rejected your messengers! I've longed to embrace your children, like a mother hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you've always resisted!

Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Look around, your home is now empty and lonely. Truly, I tell you, you won't see me again until you welcome and bless those who come in the Lord's name.