24. Consider the ravens, for they sow not, neither do they reap, neither have they storehouse nor barn, and God feedeth them. How much are you more valuable than they?
25. And which of you, by taking thought, can add to his stature one cubit?
26. If then ye be not able to do so much as the least thing, why are you solicitous for the rest?
27. Consider the lilies, how they grow: they labour not, neither do they spin. But I say to you, not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these.
28. Now if God clothe in this manner the grass that is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more you, O ye of little faith?
29. And seek not you what you shall eat, or what you shall drink: and be not lifted up on high.
30. For all these things do the nations of the world seek. But your Father knoweth that you have need of these things.
31. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his justice, and all these things shall be added unto you.
32. Fear not, little flock, for it hath pleased your Father to give you a kingdom.
33. Sell what you possess and give alms. Make to yourselves bags which grow not old, a treasure in heaven which faileth not: where no thief approacheth, nor moth corrupteth.
34. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
35. Let your loins be girt, and lamps burning in your hands.
36. And you yourselves like to men who wait for their lord, when he shall return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open to him immediately.
37. Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh, shall find watching. Amen I say to you, that he will gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and passing will minister unto them.
38. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
39. But this know ye, that if the householder did know at what hour the thief would come, he would surely watch, and would not suffer his house to be broken open.
40. Be you then also ready: for at what hour you think not, the Son of man will come.
41. And Peter said to him: Lord, dost thou speak this parable to us, or likewise to all?
42. And the Lord said: Who (thinkest thou) is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord setteth over his family, to give them their measure of wheat in due season?
43. Blessed is that servant, whom when his lord shall come, he shall find so doing.