English Standard Version ESV
The Message Bible MSG
13 Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."
13
Someone out of the crowd said, "Teacher, order my brother to give me a fair share of the family inheritance."
14 But he said to him, "Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?"
14
He replied, "Mister, what makes you think it's any of my business to be a judge or mediator for you?"
15 And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."
15
Speaking to the people, he went on, "Take care! Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot."
16 And he told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man produced plentifully,
16
Then he told them this story: "The farm of a certain rich man produced a terrific crop.
17 and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?'
17
He talked to himself: 'What can I do? My barn isn't big enough for this harvest.'
18 And he said, 'I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
18
Then he said, 'Here's what I'll do: I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll gather in all my grain and goods,
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.'
19
and I'll say to myself, Self, you've done well! You've got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life!'
20 But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?'
20
"Just then God showed up and said, 'Fool! Tonight you die. And your barnful of goods - who gets it?'
21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God."
21
"That's what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God."
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.