Luke 16:4

Simplified Cowboy Version

I know what I'll do! I'll make some quick friends by using the rancher's business so I can call in some favors after I'm fired.'

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
I know what I’ll do so that when I’m removed from management, people will welcome me into their homes.’

King James Version (1611)
I am resolued what to doe, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receiue me into their houses.

King James Version
I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.

English Standard Version
I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.'

New American Standard Bible
'I know what I will do, so that when I am removed from the management people will welcome me into their homes.'

New Century Version
I know what I'll do so that when I lose my job people will welcome me into their homes.'

Amplified Bible
'I know what I will do, so that when I am removed from the management, people [who are my master's debtors] will welcome me into their homes.'

New American Standard Bible (1995)
'I know what I shall do, so that when I am removed from the management people will welcome me into their homes.'

Legacy Standard Bible
I know what I shall do, so that when I am removed from the stewardship people will take me into their homes.'

Berean Standard Bible
I know what I will do, so that after my removal from management, people will welcome me into their homes...'

Contemporary English Version
I know what I'll do, so that people will welcome me into their homes after I've lost my job."

Complete Jewish Bible
Aha! I know what I'll do — something that will make people welcome me into their homes after I've lost my job here!'

Darby Translation
I know what I will do, that when I shall have been removed from the stewardship I may be received into their houses.

Easy-to-Read Version
I know what I will do! I will do something to make friends, so that when I lose my job, they will welcome me into their homes.'

Geneva Bible (1587)
I knowe what I will doe, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receiue mee into their houses.

George Lamsa Translation
Now I know what I will do, so that when I leave the stewardship, they will receive me in their houses.

Good News Translation
Now I know what I will do! Then when my job is gone, I shall have friends who will welcome me in their homes.'

Lexham English Bible
I know what I should do, so that when I am removed from the management they will welcome me into their homes!'

Literal Translation
I know what I will do, that when I am removed from the stewardship, they will receive me into their houses.

American Standard Version
I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.

Bible in Basic English
I have come to a decision what to do, so that when I am put out of my position they will take me into their houses.

Hebrew Names Version
I know what I will do, so that when I am removed from management, they may receive me into their houses.'

International Standard Version
I know what I'll do so that peoplethey">[fn] will welcome me into their homes when I'm dismissed from my job.'

Etheridge Translation
I know what I will do, that when I shall be put out of the house-headship, they may receive me into their houses.

Murdock Translation
I know what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me to their houses.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
I wote what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardshippe, they may receaue me into their houses.

English Revised Version
I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.

World English Bible
I know what I will do, so that when I am removed from management, they may receive me into their houses.'

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
I know what to do, that when I am removed from the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.

Weymouth's New Testament
I see what to do, in order that when I am discharged from the stewardship they may give me a home in their own houses.'

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Y woot what Y schal do, that whanne Y am remeued fro the baili, thei resseyue me in to her hous.

Update Bible Version
I have resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.

Webster's Bible Translation
I am resolved what to do, that when I am removed from the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.

New English Translation
I know what to do so that when I am put out of management, people will welcome me into their homes.'

New King James Version
I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.'

New Living Translation
Ah, I know how to ensure that I'll have plenty of friends who will give me a home when I am fired.'

New Life Bible
I know what I will do. I will make it so that when I lose this work I will be able to go to the homes of my friends.'

New Revised Standard
I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.'

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
I know what I will do, that, when I am removed out of the stewardship, they may welcome me into their own houses.

Douay-Rheims Bible
I know what I will do, that when I shall be removed from the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.

Revised Standard Version
I have decided what to do, so that people may receive me into their houses when I am put out of the stewardship.'

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
I woote what to do yt when I am put out of ye stewardshippe they maye receave me into their houses.

Young's Literal Translation
I have known what I shall do, that, when I may be removed from the stewardship, they may receive me to their houses.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
I wote what I wil do, that wha I am put out of the stewardshipe, they maye receaue me in to their houses.

Mace New Testament (1729)
I must do something that will secure me a reception in other families, when I have lost my place in this.

Contextual Overview

¹Jesus told his twelve cowboys this story, "There was a rich rancher who hired a bean counter to manage his properties. One day, the rancher was informed that the bean counter was wasting a lot of money. ²The rancher called him in and said, 'I've heard a lot about what you've been doing with my money and property. Give me the books and get out of here. You're fired.' ³"The bean counter was beside himself with worry. He said to himself, 'My boss is firing me, and I don't know what to do. I'm not strong enough to be a cowboy, and I've got too much pride to beg. ⁴I know what I'll do! I'll make some quick friends by using the rancher's business so I can call in some favors after I'm fired.' ⁵"So he called in everyone who owed the rancher anything and made them a deal to reduce their debt. He asked the first one, 'How much do you owe my boss?' ⁶"'One hundred barrels of olive oil,' the man answered. "'I'll reduce that debt by half if you can pay it now.' ⁷Then he called another guy and asked, 'How much do you owe my boss?' "The guy said, 'One thousand bushels of wheat.' "The bean counter said, 'I'll reduce that to only eight hundred if you can pay it now.' ⁸"After all of this, the rancher still fired the bean counter, but he admired the way he collected the debts and set himself up for the future. ⁹So here's what I'm trying to tell you, use any earthly gain you have to help people. And when you have nothing left, God will welcome you in. ¹⁰"If you can be trusted with little things, more will be trusted to you. If you cannot be trusted with small tasks, you cannot be trusted with bigger ones.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Proverbs 30:9, Jeremiah 4:22, James 3:15

Reciprocal: Luke 16:8 - done

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 4:6
Now, cowboys and cowgirls, this is how Apollos and I ride for the Lord. We do this so you can see God's way in action. That's what the Good Book means when it says, "Don't do more'n what you're told." If you follow this, you won't be bragging about riding with any cowboy except Jesus.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

I am resolved what to do,.... Or "I know what to do"; I have a scheme in my head, and I am determined to execute it, which will provide for me, and secure me a maintenance:

that when I am put out of the stewardship; drove from Jerusalem, and from the temple and the synagogues:

they may receive me into their houses; either Jews or Gentiles, after their dispersion.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

I am resolved - He thought of his condition. He looked at the plans which occurred to him. He had been dishonest, and knew that he must lose his place. It would have been better to have “considered before this,” and resolved on a proper course of life, and to be faithful to his trust; and his perplexity here teaches us that dishonesty will sooner or later lead us into difficulty, and that the path of honesty is not only the “right” path, but is the path that is filled with most comfort and peace.

When I am put out ... - When I lose my place, and have no home and means of support.

They may receive me ... - Those who are now under me, and whom I am resolved now to favor. He had been dishonest to his master, and, having “commenced” a course of dishonesty, he did not shrink from pursuing it. Having injured his master, and being now detected, he was willing still farther to injure him, to take revenge on him for removing him from his place, and to secure his own interest still at his expense. He was resolved to lay these persons under such obligations, and to show them so much kindness, that they could not well refuse to return the kindness to him and give him a support. We may learn here,

1. That one sin leads on to another, and that one act of dishonesty will be followed by many more, if there is opportunity.
2. Men who commit one sin cannot get along “consistently” without committing many more. One lie will demand many more to make it “appear” like the truth, and one act of cheating will demand many more to avoid detection. The beginning of sin is like the letting out of waters, and no man knows, if he indulges in one sin, where it will end.
3. Sinners are selfish. They care more about “themselves” than they do either about God or truth. If they seek salvation, it is only for selfish ends, and because they desire a comfortable “abode” in the future world rather than because they have any regard to God or his cause.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Luke 16:4. They may receive me — That is, the debtors and tenants, who paid their debts and rents, not in money, but in kind; such as wheat, oil, and other produce of their lands.