Read Scripture In A Year: March 21

(Num 2:1) And the Lord spake vnto Moses, and to Aaron, saying,

(Num 2:2) Euery man of the children of Israel shall campe by his standerd, and vnder the ensigne of their fathers house: farre off about the Tabernacle of the Congregation shall they pitch.

(Notes Reference) (a) Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their father's house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch.

(a) In the twelve tribes were four principle standards, so that every three tribes had their standard.

(Num 2:3) On the East side towarde the rising of the sunne, shall they of the standerd of the hoste of Iudah pitch according to their armies: and Nahshon the sonne of Amminadab shalbe captaine of the sonnes of Iudah.

(Num 2:4) And his hoste and the nomber of the were seuentie and foure thousande and sixe hundreth.

(Num 2:5) Next vnto him shall they of the tribe of Issachar pitch, and Nethaneel the sonne of Zuar shalbe the captaine of the sonnes of Issachar:

(Notes Reference) And those that do pitch next unto him [shall be] the tribe (b) of Issachar: and Nethaneel the son of Zuar [shall be] captain of the children of Issachar.

(b) Judah, Issachar and Zebulun the sons of Leah were of the first standard.

(Num 2:6) And his hoste, and the nomber thereof were foure and fiftie thousand, and foure hundreth.

(Num 2:7) Then the tribe of Zebulun, and Eliab the sonne of Helon, captaine ouer the sonnes of Zebulun:

(Num 2:8) And his hoste, and the nomber thereof seuen and fiftie thousand and foure hundreth:

(Num 2:9) The whole nomber of the hoste of Iudah are an hundreth fourescore and sixe thousande, and foure hundreth according to their armies: they shall first set foorth.

(Notes Reference) All that were numbered in the (c) camp of Judah [were] an hundred thousand and fourscore thousand and six thousand and four hundred, throughout their armies. These shall first set forth.

(Num 2:10) On the South side shalbe ye standerd of the host of Reuben according to their armies, and the captaine ouer the sonnes of Reuben shalbe Elizur the sonne of Shedeur.

(Notes Reference) On the south side [shall be] the standard of the camp (d) of Reuben according to their armies: and the captain of the children of Reuben [shall be] Elizur the son of Shedeur.

(d) Reuben and Simeon, the sons of Leah, and Gad, the son of Zilpah her maid, were of the second standard.

(Num 2:11) And his host, and the nomber thereof sixe and fourty thousand and fiue hundreth.

(Num 2:12) And by him shall the tribe of Simeon pitch, and the captaiue ouer the sonnes of Simeon shall be Shelumiel the sonne of Zurishaddai:

(Num 2:13) And his hoste, and the nomber of them, nine and fiftie thousand and three hundreth.

(Num 2:14) And the tribe of Gad, and the captaine ouer the sonnes of Gad shall be Eliasaph the sonne of Deuel:

(Num 2:15) And his host and the nomber of the were fiue and fourtye thousande, sixe hundreth and fiftie.

(Num 2:16) All the nomber of the campe of Reuben were an hundreth and one and fiftie thousande, and foure hundreth and fiftie according to their armies, and they shall set foorth in the seconde place.

(Num 2:17) Then the Tabernacle of the Congregation shall goe with the host of the Leuites, in the mids of the campe as they haue pitched, so shall they goe forwarde, euery man in his order according to their standerds.

(Notes Reference) Then the tabernacle of the congregation shall set forward with the camp of the Levites in the (e) midst of the camp: as they encamp, so shall they set forward, every man in his place by their standards.

(e) Because it might be an equal distance from each one, and all indifferently have recourse to it.

(Num 2:18) The standerd of the campe of Ephraim shalbe toward the west according to their armies: and ye captaine ouer the sonnes of Ephraim shall be Elishama the sonne of Ammihud:

(Notes Reference) (f) On the west side [shall be] the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their armies: and the captain of the sons of Ephraim [shall be] Elishama the son of Ammihud.

(f) Because Ephraim and Manasseh took the place of Joseph their father, they are taken as Rachel's children, so they and Benjamin make the third standard.

(Num 2:19) And his host and the nomber of the were fortie thousand and fiue hundreth.

(Num 2:20) And by him shalbe the tribe of Manasseh, and the captaine ouer the sonnes of Manasseh shalbe Gamliel the sonne of Pedahzur:

(Num 2:21) And his hoste and the nomber of them were two and thirtie thousand and two hundreth.

(Num 2:22) And the tribe of Beniamin, and ye captaine ouer the sonnes of Beniamin shalbe Abidan the sonne of Gideoni:

(Num 2:23) And his host, and the nomber of the were fiue and thirtie thousand and foure hundreth.

(Num 2:24) All the nomber of the campe of Ephraim were an hundreth and eight thousande and one hundreth according to their armies, and they shall go in the third place.

(Num 2:25) The standerd of the host of Dan shalbe toward the North according to their armies: and the captaine ouer the children of Dan shall be Ahiezer the sonne of Ammishaddai:

(Notes Reference) The standard of the camp of (g) Dan [shall be] on the north side by their armies: and the captain of the children of Dan [shall be] Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.

(g) Dan and Naphtali the sons of Bilhah Rachel's maid with Asher the son of Zilpah make the fourth standard.

(Num 2:26) And his host and the number of them were two and threescore thousand and seue hundreth.

(Num 2:27) And by him shall the tribe of Asher pitch, and the captaine ouer the sonnes of Asher shalbe Pagiel the sonne of Ocran.

(Num 2:28) And his host and the nomber of them were one and fourtie thousand and fiue hundreth.

(Num 2:29) Then the tribe of Naphtali, and the captaine ouer the children of Naphtali shall be Ahira the sonne of Enan:

(Num 2:30) And his host and the nomber of them were three and fiftie thousand and foure hundreth.

(Num 2:31) All the nomber of the host of Dan was an hundreth and seuen and fiftie thousand and sixe hundreth: they shall goe hinmost with their standerdes.

(Num 2:32) These are the summes of the childre of Israel by ye houses of their fathers, all the nomber of ye host, according to their armies, six hundreth and three thousand, fiue hundreth and fiftie.

(Notes Reference) These [are] (h) those which were numbered of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers: all those that were numbered of the camps throughout their hosts [were] six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.

(h) Which were of twenty years and above.

(Num 2:33) But the Leuites were not nombred among the children of Israel, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

(Num 2:34) And the children of Israel did according to all that the Lord had commanded Moses: so they pitched according to their standards, and so they iourneyed euery one with his families, according to the houses of their fathers.

(Notes Reference) And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses: so they pitched by their (i) standards, and so they set forward, every one after their families, according to the house of their fathers.

(i) For under every one of the four principal standards, were various signs to keep every band.

Passage 2: Psalms 145-147

(Psa 145:1) A Psalme of David of Praise. O my God and King, I will extold thee, and will blesse thy Name for euer and euer.

(Notes Reference) "David's [Psalm] of praise." (a) I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.

(a) He shows which sacrifices are pleasant and acceptable to God, even praise and thanksgiving and seeing that God still continues his benefits toward us, we ought never to be weary in praising him for the same.

(Psa 145:2) I will blesse thee dayly, and prayse thy Name for euer and euer.

(Psa 145:3) Great is the Lord, and most worthy to be praysed, and his greatnes is incomprehensible.

(Notes Reference) (b) Great [is] the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness [is] unsearchable.

(b) By this he declares that all power is subject to God, and that no worldly promotion should obscure God's glory.

(Psa 145:4) Generation shall praise thy works vnto generation, and declare thy power.

(Notes Reference) One generation shall praise thy works to (c) another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.

(c) Even as the reason for man's creation and his preservation in this life is to praise God, therefore he requires that not only we ourselves do this, but cause all others to do the same.

(Psa 145:5) I wil meditate of the beautie of thy glorious maiestie, and thy wonderfull workes,

(Psa 145:6) And they shall speake of the power of thy fearefull actes, and I will declare thy greatnes.

(Notes Reference) And [men] shall speak of the might of thy (d) terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness.

(d) Of your terrible judgments against the wicked.

(Psa 145:7) They shall breake out into the mention of thy great goodnes, and shall sing aloude of thy righteousnesse.

(Psa 145:8) The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great mercie.

(Notes Reference) The LORD [is] gracious, and full of (e) compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.

(e) He describes after what sort God shows himself to all his creatures though our sins have provoked his vengeance against all: that is, merciful not only in pardoning the sins of his elect, but in doing good even to the reprobate, although they cannot feel the sweet comfort of the same.

(Psa 145:9) The Lord is good to all, and his mercies are ouer all his workes.

(Psa 145:10) All thy workes prayse thee, O Lord, and thy Saints blesse thee.

(Psa 145:11) They shewe the glory of thy kingdome, and speake of thy power,

(Notes Reference) (f) They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;

(f) The praise of your glory belongs in all your creatures and though the wicked would obscure the same by their silence, yet the faithful are always mindful of the same.

(Psa 145:12) To cause his power to be knowen to the sonnes of men, and the glorious renoume of his kingdome.

(Notes Reference) To make known to the sons of men his (g) mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.

(g) He shows that all things are out of order, only but where God reigns.

(Psa 145:13) Thy kingdome is an euerlasting kingdome, and thy dominion endureth throughout all ages.

(Psa 145:14) The Lord vpholdeth all that fall, and lifteth vp all that are ready to fall.

(Notes Reference) The LORD upholdeth all that (h) fall, and raiseth up all [those that be] bowed down.

(h) Who being in misery and affliction would faint and fall away if God did not uphold them, and therefore they should revere him who reigns in heaven and suffer themselves to be governed by him.

(Psa 145:15) The eyes of all waite vpon thee, and thou giuest them their meate in due season.

(Notes Reference) The eyes of (i) all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.

(i) That is, as well of man as of beast.

(Psa 145:16) Thou openest thine hand, and fillest all things liuing of thy good pleasure.

(Psa 145:17) The Lord is righteous in all his wayes, and holy in all his workes.

(Notes Reference) The LORD [is] (k) righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.

(k) He praises God, not only because he is beneficial to all his creatures, but also in that he justly punishes the wicked, and mercifully examines his by the cross, giving them strength and delivering them.

(Psa 145:18) The Lord is neere vnto all that call vpon him: yea, to all that call vpon him in trueth.

(Notes Reference) The LORD [is] nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in (l) truth.

(l) Which only belongs to the faithful: and this virtue is contrary to infidelity, doubting, impatience and murmuring.

(Psa 145:19) He wil fulfill the desire of them that feare him: he also wil heare their cry, and wil saue them.

(Notes Reference) He will fulfil the (m) desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

(m) For they will ask or wish for nothing, but according to his will, (1Jo 5:14).

(Psa 145:20) The Lord preserueth all them that loue him: but he will destroy all the wicked.

(Psa 145:21) My mouth shall speake the prayse of the Lord, and all flesh shall blesse his holy Name for euer and euer.

(Notes Reference) My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all (n) flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

(n) That is, all men will be bound to praise him.

(Psa 146:1) Praise ye the Lord. Praise thou the Lord, O my soule.

(Notes Reference) Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my (a) soul.

(a) He stirs up himself and all his affections to praise God.

(Psa 146:2) I will prayse the Lord during my life: as long as I haue any being, I wil sing vnto my God.

(Psa 146:3) Put not your trust in princes, nor in the sonne of man, for there is none helpe in him.

(Notes Reference) Put not your trust in (b) princes, [nor] in the son of man, in whom [there is] no help.

(b) That God may have the whole praise: in which he forbids all vain confidence showing that by nature we are more inclined to put our trust in creatures, than in God the Creator.

(Psa 146:4) His breath departeth, and he returneth to his earth: then his thoughtes perish.

(Notes Reference) His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his (c) thoughts perish.

(Psa 146:5) Blessed is he, that hath the God of Iaakob for his helpe, whose hope is in the Lord his God.

(Psa 146:6) Which made heauen and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth his fidelitie for euer:

(Notes Reference) Which made (d) heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein [is]: which keepeth truth for ever:

(d) He encourages the godly to trust only in the Lord, both in his power's ability to deliver them from all danger, and for his promise sake, as his will is most ready to do it.

(Psa 146:7) Which executeth iustice for the oppressed: which giueth bread to the hungry: the Lord loseth the prisoners.

(Notes Reference) Which executeth judgment (e) for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:

(e) Whose faith and patience for a while he tries but at length he punishes the adversaries, that he may be known to be the judge of the world.

(Psa 146:8) The Lord giueth sight to the blinde: the Lord rayseth vp the crooked: the Lord loueth the righteous.

(Notes Reference) The LORD openeth [the eyes of] the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD (f) loveth the righteous:

(f) Though he visits them with affliction, hunger, imprisonment and such like, yet his fatherly love and pity never fails them, yea rather to his these are signs of his love.

(Psa 146:9) The Lord keepeth the strangers: he relieueth the fatherlesse and widowe: but he ouerthroweth the way of the wicked.

(Notes Reference) The LORD preserveth the (g) strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.

(g) Meaning, all who are destitute of worldly means and help.

(Psa 146:10) The Lord shall reigne for euer: O Zion, thy God endureth from generation to generation. Prayse ye the Lord.

(Notes Reference) The LORD shall (h) reign for ever, [even] thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.

(h) He assures the Church that God reigns forever for the preservation of the same.

(Psa 147:1) Praise ye the Lord, for it is good to sing vnto our God: for it is a pleasant thing, and praise is comely.

(Notes Reference) Praise ye the LORD: for [it is] good to sing praises unto our God; for [it is] (a) pleasant; [and] praise is comely.

(a) He shows in which we ought to exercise ourselves continually, and to take our pastime: that is, in praising God.

(Psa 147:2) The Lord doth builde vp Ierusalem, and gather together the dispersed of Israel.

(Notes Reference) The LORD doth build up (b) Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.

(b) Because the Lord is the founder of the Church, it cannot be destroyed, though the members of it are dispersed and seem as it were for a time to be cut off.

(Psa 147:3) He healeth those that are broken in heart, and bindeth vp their sores.

(Notes Reference) He healeth the (c) broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

(Psa 147:4) He counteth the nomber of the starres, and calleth them all by their names.

(Notes Reference) He (d) telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by [their] names.

(d) Though it seems incredible to man, that God should assemble his Church, being so dispersed, yet nothing can be too hard to him that can number and name all the stars.

(Psa 147:5) Great is our Lord, and great is his power: his wisdome is infinite.

(Psa 147:6) The Lord relieueth the meeke, and abaseth the wicked to the ground.

(Notes Reference) The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the (e) ground.

(e) For the more high that the wicked climb the greater is their fall in the end.

(Psa 147:7) Sing vnto the Lord with prayse: sing vpon the harpe vnto our God,

(Psa 147:8) Which couereth the heauen with cloudes, and prepareth raine for the earth, and maketh the grasse to growe vpon the mountaines:

(Notes Reference) Who (f) covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.

(f) He shows by the example of God's mighty power, goodness, and wisdom, that he can never lack just opportunity to praise God.

(Psa 147:9) Which giueth to beasts their foode, and to the yong rauens that crie.

(Notes Reference) He giveth to the beast his food, [and] to the young ravens which (g) cry.

(g) For their crying is as it were a confession of their need, which cannot be relieved, but by God alone, then if God show himself mindful of the most contemptible souls, can he suffer them to die with famine, whom he has assured of life everlasting?

(Psa 147:10) He hath not pleasure in the strength of an horse, neither delighteth he in the legs of man.

(Notes Reference) He delighteth not in the (h) strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.

(h) Though to use lawful means is both profitable and pleases God, yet to put our trust in them is to defraud God of his honour.

(Psa 147:11) But the Lord deliteth in them that feare him, and attende vpon his mercie.

(Psa 147:12) Prayse the Lord, O Ierusalem: prayse thy God, O Zion.

(Psa 147:13) For he hath made the barres of thy gates strong, and hath blessed thy children within thee.

(Notes Reference) For he hath (i) strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.

(i) He not only furnishes his Church with all that is necessary but preserves also the same, and makes it strong against all outward force.

(Psa 147:14) He setteth peace in thy borders, and satisfieth thee with the floure of wheate.

(Psa 147:15) He sendeth foorth his commandement vpon earth, and his worde runneth very swiftly.

(Notes Reference) He sendeth forth his (k) commandment [upon] earth: his word runneth very (l) swiftly.

(k) His secret working in all creatures is as a command to keep them in order and to give them moving and force.

(l) For immediately and without resisting all things obey him.

(Psa 147:16) He giueth snowe like wooll, and scattereth the hoare frost like ashes.

(Psa 147:17) He casteth foorth his yce like morsels: who can abide the colde thereof?

(Psa 147:18) He sendeth his worde and melteth them: he causeth his winde to blowe, and the waters flowe.

(Psa 147:19) He sheweth his word vnto Iaakob, his statutes and his iudgements vnto Israel.

(Notes Reference) He sheweth his (m) word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.

(m) As before he called God's secret working in all his creatures his word: so he means by this his word the doctrine of life everlasting, which he has left to his Church as a precious treasure.

(Psa 147:20) He hath not dealt so with euery nation, neither haue they knowen his iudgements. Prayse ye the Lord.

(Notes Reference) He hath not dealt so with any nation: and [as for his] judgments, they have not (n) known them. Praise ye the LORD.

(n) The cause of this difference is God's free mercy, which has elected his in his Son Christ Jesus to salvation: and his just judgment, by which he has appointed the reprobate to eternal damnation.

Passage 3: Luke 12

(Luk 12:1) In the meane time, there gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, so that they trode one another: and he began to say vnto his disciples first, Take heede to your selues of the leauen of the Pharises, which is hypocrisie.

(Notes Reference) In (1) the mean time, when there were gathered together (a) an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

(1) The faithful teachers of God's word, who are appointed by him for his people, must both take good heed of those who corrupt the purity of doctrine with smooth speech, and also take pains through the help of God to set forth sincere doctrine, openly and without fear.

(a) Literally, "ten thousand of people", a certain number which is given for an uncertain number.

(Luk 12:2) For there is nothing couered, that shall not bee reueiled: neither hidde, that shall not be knowen.

(Luk 12:3) Wherefore whatsoeuer yee haue spoken in darkenesse, it shall be heard in the light: and that which ye haue spoken in the eare, in secret places, shall be preached on the houses.

(Luk 12:4) And I say vnto you, my friendes, be not afraide of them that kill the bodie, and after that are not able to doe any more.

(Notes Reference) (2) And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

(2) Although hypocrites have princes to execute their cruelty, yet there is no reason why we should be afraid of them, even by the smallest amount that may be, seeing that they can do nothing except that which pleases God, and God does not will anything that may be against the salvation of his elect.

(Luk 12:5) But I wil forewarne you, who ye shall feare: feare him which after hee hath killed, hath power to cast into hell: yea, I say vnto you, him feare.

(Notes Reference) But I will (b) forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

(b) He warns them of dangers that presently hang over their heads, for those that come upon one suddenly make a greater wound.

(Luk 12:6) Are not fiue sparowes bought for two farthings, and yet not one of them is forgotten before God?

(Luk 12:7) Yea, and all the heares of your head are nombred: feare not therefore: yee are more of value then many sparowes.

(Luk 12:8) Also I say vnto you, Whosoeuer shall confesse mee before men, him shall the Sonne of man confesse also before the Angels of God.

(Notes Reference) (3) Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:

(3) Great is the reward of a constant confession: and horrible is the punishment for denying Christ; yea, it will be impossible to call the punishment back again, if on purpose, both with mouth and heart we blaspheme a known truth.

(Luk 12:9) But hee that shall denie mee before men, shall be denied before the Angels of God.

(Luk 12:10) And whosoeuer shall speake a woorde against the Sonne of man, it shall be forgiuen him: but vnto him, that shall blaspheme ye holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiuen.

(Luk 12:11) And when they shall bring you vnto the Synagogues, and vnto the rulers and Princes, take no thought howe, or what thing ye shall answere, or what yee shall speake.

(Notes Reference) (4) And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and [unto] magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:

(4) It is a great and difficult conflict to confess the truth, yet God who can do all things and is almighty will provide strength to the weakest who struggle greatly and do battle in God's appointed time.

(Luk 12:12) For the holy Ghost shall teache you in the same houre, what yee ought to say.

(Luk 12:13) And one of the companie said vnto him, Master, bidde my brother deuide the inheritance with me.

(Notes Reference) (5) And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.

(5) For three reasons Christ would not be a judge to divide an inheritance. First, because he would not support and uphold the fleshly opinion that the Jews had of Messiah: secondly, because he wanted to distinguish the civil government from the ecclesiastical: thirdly, to teach us to beware of those which abuse the show of the gospel, and also the name of ministers, for their own private well-being.

(Luk 12:14) And he said vnto him, Man, who made me a iudge, or a deuider ouer you?

(Luk 12:15) Wherefore he said vnto them, Take heede, and beware of couetousnesse: for though a man haue abundance, yet his life standeth not in his riches.

(Notes Reference) And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of (c) covetousness: for a man's life (d) consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

(d) God is the author and preserver of man's life; goods are not.

(Luk 12:16) And he put foorth a parable vnto them, saying, The grounde of a certaine riche man brought foorth fruites plenteously.

(Notes Reference) (6) And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The (e) ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

(6) There are none more mad than rich men who depend upon their riches.

(e) Or rather country, for here is set forth a man that possesses not only a piece of ground, but a whole country, as they do who join house to house, and field to field; (Isa 5:8).

(Luk 12:17) Therefore he thought with himselfe, saying, What shall I doe, because I haue no roume, where I may lay vp my fruites?

(Notes Reference) And he (f) thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

(f) Reckoned with himself, which is the characteristic of covetous surly men who spend their life in those trifles.

(Luk 12:18) And he said, This wil I do, I wil pul downe my barnes, and builde greater, and therein will I gather all my fruites, and my goods.

(Luk 12:19) And I wil say to my soule, Soule, thou hast much goods laide vp for many yeeres: liue at ease, eate, drinke and take thy pastime.

(Notes Reference) And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, [and] (g) be merry.

(g) Be merry and make good cheer.

(Luk 12:20) But God said vnto him, O foole, this night wil they fetch away thy soule from thee: then whose shall those things be which thou hast prouided?

(Luk 12:21) So is he that gathereth riches to himselfe, and is not riche in God.

(Notes Reference) So [is] he that layeth up treasure (h) for himself, and is not rich toward God.

(h) Caring for no man but for himself, and making sure to trust in himself.

(Luk 12:22) And he spake vnto his disciples, Therefore I say vnto you, Take no thought for your life, what yee shall eate: neither for your body, what yee shall put on.

(Notes Reference) (7) And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.

(7) Earnestly thinking upon the providence of God is a present remedy for this life against the most foolish and wasting worry of men.

(Luk 12:23) The life is more then meate: and the body more then the raiment.

(Luk 12:24) Consider the rauens: for they neither sowe nor reape: which neither haue storehouse nor barne, and yet God feedeth them: how much more are yee better then foules?

(Luk 12:25) And which of you with taking thought, can adde to his stature one cubite?

(Luk 12:26) If yee then bee not able to doe the least thing, why take yee thought for the remnant?

(Luk 12:27) Consider the lilies howe they growe: they labour not, neither spin they: yet I say vnto you, that Salomon himselfe in all his royaltie was not clothed like one of these.

(Luk 12:28) If then God so clothe the grasse which is to day in the field, and to morowe is cast into the ouen, howe much more will he clothe you, O yee of litle faith?

(Luk 12:29) Therefore aske not what yee shall eate, or what ye shall drinke, neither hag you in suspense.

(Notes Reference) And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither (i) be ye of doubtful mind.

(i) A metaphor taken of things that hang in the air, for those that care too much for this worldly life, and rely upon the arm of man, always have wavering and doubtful minds, swaying sometimes this way, and sometimes that way.

(Luk 12:30) For all such things the people of the world seeke for: and your Father knoweth that ye haue neede of these things.

(Luk 12:31) But rather seeke ye after the kingdome of God, and all these things shalbe cast vpon you.

(Notes Reference) (8) But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

(8) They will lack nothing who are diligent for the kingdom of heaven.

(Luk 12:32) Feare not, litle flocke: for it is your Fathers pleasure, to giue you the kingdome.

(Notes Reference) (9) Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

(9) It is a foolish thing not to look for small things at the hands of him who freely gives us the greatest things.

(Luk 12:33) Sell that ye haue, and giue almes: make you bagges, which waxe not old, a treasure that can neuer faile in heauen, where no theefe commeth, neither mothe corrupteth.

(Notes Reference) (10) Sell that ye have, and give (k) alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

(10) A godly bountifulness is a proper way to get true riches.

(k) This is the figure of speech metonymy, for by this word "alms" is meant that compassion and friendliness of a heart that cares tenderly for the misery and poor condition of a man, and shows this feeling by some gift, and has the name given to it in the Greek language of mercy and compassion: and therefore he is said to give alms who gives something to another, and gives to the poor, showing by this that he pities their poor condition.

(Luk 12:34) For where your treasure is, there will your hearts be also.

(Luk 12:35) Let your loynes be gird about and your lights burning,

(Notes Reference) (11) Let your loins be girded about, and [your] lights burning;

(11) The life of the faithful servants of God in this world is certainly a diligent journey, having the light of the word going before the journey.

(Luk 12:36) And ye your selues like vnto men that waite for their master, when he will returne from the wedding, that when he commeth and knocketh, they may open vnto him immediatly.

(Luk 12:37) Blessed are those seruants, whom the Lord when he commeth shall finde waking: verely I say vnto you, he will girde himselfe about, and make them to sit downe at table, and will come forth, and serue them.

(Luk 12:38) And if he come in the seconde watch, or come in the third watch, and shall finde them so, blessed are those seruants.

(Luk 12:39) Nowe vnderstand this, that if the good man of the house had knowen at what houre the theefe would haue come, he would haue watched, and would not haue suffered his house to be digged through.

(Luk 12:40) Be ye also prepared therefore: for the Sonne of man will come at an houre when ye thinke not.

(Notes Reference) (12) Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

(12) None need to watch more than they that have some degree of honour in the household of God.

(Luk 12:41) Then Peter saide vnto him, Master, tellest thou this parable vnto vs, or euen to all?

(Luk 12:42) And the Lord saide, Who is a faithfull steward and wise, whom the master shall make ruler ouer his householde, to giue them their portion of meate in season?

(Notes Reference) And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom [his] lord shall make ruler over his household, to give [them their] (l) portion of meat in due season?

(l) That is, every month the measure of corn that was given to them.

(Luk 12:43) Blessed is that seruant, whom his master when he commeth, shall finde so doing.

(Luk 12:44) Of a trueth I say vnto you, that he wil make him ruler ouer all that he hath.

(Luk 12:45) But if that seruant say in his heart, My master doeth deferre his comming, and ginne to smite the seruants, and maydens, and to eate, and drinke, and to be drunken,

(Luk 12:46) The master of that seruant will come in a day when he thinketh not, and at an houre when he is not ware of, and will cut him off, and giue him his portion with the vnbeleeuers.

(Luk 12:47) And that seruant that knewe his masters will, and prepared not himselfe, neither did according to his will, shalbe beaten with many stripes.

(Luk 12:48) But he that knewe it not, and yet did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with fewe stripes: for vnto whomsoeuer much is giuen, of him shalbe much required, and to whom men much commit, the more of him will they aske.

(Notes Reference) But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few [stripes]. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask (m) the more.

(m) More than the one who did not receive as much.

(Luk 12:49) I am come to put fire on the earth, and what is my desire, if it be already kindled?

(Notes Reference) (13) I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?

(13) The gospel is the only reason of peace between the godly, and so it is the occasion of great trouble among the wicked.

(Luk 12:50) Notwithstanding I must be baptized with a baptisme, and how am I grieued, till it be ended?

(Luk 12:51) Thinke ye that I am come to giue peace on earth? I tell you, nay, but rather debate.

(Luk 12:52) For from hencefoorth there shall be fiue in one house deuided, three against two, and two against three.

(Luk 12:53) The father shalbe deuided against ye sonne, and the sonne against the father: the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother: the mother in lawe against her daughter in lawe, and the daughter in lawe against her mother in lawe.

(Luk 12:54) Then said he to the people, When ye see a cloude rise out of the West, straightway ye say, A shower commeth: and so it is.

(Notes Reference) (14) And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud (n) rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.

(14) Men who are very quick to see with regard to earthly things are blind with regard to those things which pertain to the heavenly life, and this through their own malice.

(n) Which appears, and gathers itself together in that part of the air.

(Luk 12:55) And when ye see the South winde blowe, ye say, that it wilbe hoate: and it commeth to passe.

(Luk 12:56) Hypocrites, ye can discerne the face of the earth, and of the skie: but why discerne ye not this time?

(Luk 12:57) Yea, and why iudge ye not of your selues what is right?

(Notes Reference) (15) Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?

(15) Men that are blinded with the love of themselves, and therefore are detestable and stubborn, will bear the punishment of their folly.

(Luk 12:58) While thou goest with thine aduersarie to the ruler, as thou art in the way, giue diligence in the way, that thou mayest be deliuered from him, least he drawe thee to the iudge, and the iudge deliuer thee to the iayler, and the iayler cast thee into prison.

(Notes Reference) When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, [as thou art] in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the (o) officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.

(o) To him that has to demand and gather the fines from those who were fined at the discretion of the court, people who had wrongly troubled men: moreover, the magistrate's officers make those who are condemned pay what they owe, yea and often if they are obstinate, they not only take the fine, but also imprison them.

(Luk 12:59) I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast payed the vtmost mite.