25. Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?
26. Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27. ‘Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these.
28. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you – you of little faith!
29. And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.
30. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.
31. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
32. ‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.
33. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
34. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
35. ‘Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning,
36. like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.
37. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will make them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.
38. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or towards daybreak.
39. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.