Luke 13 (NMV)
1 At that time, some people came and reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.
2 And He responded to them, "Do you think that these Galileans were more sinful than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way?
3 No, I tell you. But unless you change the way you live, you will all likewise perish.
4 Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower in Siloam fell on them, do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem?
5 No, I tell you. But unless you change the way you live, you will all likewise perish."
6 And He told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it and found none.
7 So he said to the vineyard worker, 'Look, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it take up the soil?'
8 But he answered him, 'Sir, leave it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.
9 If it bears fruit next year, fine. But if not, you can cut it down.'"
10 As He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath,
11 a woman was there who had been disabled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all.
12 When Jesus saw her, He called out to her, "Woman, you are set free from your disability."
13 Then He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight and began to glorify God.
14 But the synagogue leader, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, responded to the crowd, "There are six days when work should be done; come on those days to be healed and not on the Sabbath day."
15 But the Lord answered him and said, "Hypocrites! Doesn't each of you untie his ox or donkey from the stall on the Sabbath and lead it to water?
16 Shouldn't this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan has bound for eighteen years, be released from this bondage on the Sabbath day?"
17 As He said these things, all His opponents were humiliated, but the whole crowd was rejoicing over all the glorious things He was doing.
18 He said, therefore, "What is the kingdom of God like, and what can I compare it to?
19 It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the sky nested in its branches."
20 Again He said, "What can I compare the kingdom of God to?
21 It is like leaven that a woman took and mixed into three measures of flour until all of it was leavened."
22 He went through one town and village after another, teaching and making His way toward Jerusalem.
23 "Lord," someone asked Him, "will only a few be saved?" He said to them,
24 "Strive to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and won't be able to.
25 Once the homeowner gets up and shuts the door, you will stand outside and knock on the door, saying, 'Lord, open up for us!' But He will answer you, 'I don't know you or where you're from.'
26 Then you will say, 'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets!'
27 But He will say, 'I tell you, I don't know you or where you're from. Get away from Me, all you who practice unrighteousness!'
28 There will be weeping and grinding of teeth [deep anguish and furious regret] when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.
29 People will come from east and west, from north and south, to share the banquet in the kingdom of God.
30 Note this: those who are last will be first, and those who are first will be last."
31 At that time some Pharisees came and told Him, "Go! Leave this place! Herod wants to kill You!"
32 He said to them, "Go tell that fox, 'Look, I am casting out demons and performing healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will complete My work.'
33 Yet it is necessary that I travel today, tomorrow, and the next day, because it is not possible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.
34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!
35 See, your house is left to you desolate. And I tell you, you will not see Me again until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!'"