Luke 16:19-31

Modern English Version

The Rich Man and Lazarus

¹⁹ “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. ²⁰ There was also a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores, who had been placed at his gate, ²¹ desiring to be fed the crumbs falling from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

²² “It came to pass that the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s presence. The rich man also died and was buried. ²³ In Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham from a distance and Lazarus in his presence. ²⁴ So he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. For I am tormented in this flame.’

²⁵ “But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things. But now he is comforted and you are tormented. ²⁶ And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf, so that those who would pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’

²⁷ “He said, ‘Then I pray you, father, to send him to my father’s house, ²⁸ for I have five brothers, to testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’

²⁹ “Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets. Let them hear them.’

³⁰ “He said, ‘No, father Abraham. But if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’

³¹ “He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.’ ”