Not Peace, but Division
49 1“I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled!
50
2I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how
3great is my distress until it is accomplished!
51
4Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth?
5No, I tell you, but rather division.
52
For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three.
53
They will be divided,
6father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law. ”
Interpreting the Time
54 He also said to the crowds,
7“When you see
8a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming. ’ And so it happens.
55
And
9when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be
10scorching heat, ’ and it happens.
56
You hypocrites!
11You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?
Settle with Your Accuser
57 “And why
12do you not judge
13for yourselves what is right?
58
14As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison.
59
I tell you,
15you will never get out until you have paid the very last
16penny. ”