Luke 16:8 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

So, his master commended the dishonest property manager for his shrewdness. For worldly people are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of light [i.e., God’s people].

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

And [his] master praised the dishonest (unjust) manager for acting shrewdly and prudently; for the sons of this age are shrewder and more prudent and wiser in [relation to] their own generation [to their own age and kind] than are the sons of light.

American Standard Version (1901)

And his lord commended the unrighteous steward because he had done wisely: for the sons of this world are for their own generation wiser than the sons of the light.

Common English Bible

“The master commended the dishonest manager because he acted cleverly. People who belong to this world are more clever in dealing with their peers than are people who belong to the light.

Catholic Public Domain Version

And the lord praised the iniquitous steward, in that he had acted prudently. For the sons of this age are more prudent with their generation than are the sons of light.

Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version

And the lord commended the unjust steward, forasmuch as he had done wisely: for the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light.

Luke 16:8 Cross References

Matthew 12:32

And whoever speaks an [abusive] word against the Son of man will be forgiven [of it], but whoever speaks [an abusive word] against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven [of it], not in this world nor the one to come.

Matthew 17:26

And when Peter said, “From strangers,” Jesus added, “Therefore, children are free [from such taxation].

Luke 16:10

“The person who is trustworthy in regard to very small matters, [such as material possessions] is also [likely to be] trustworthy in regard to large matters, [such as spiritual values], and the person who does not do what is right in very small matters is also not [likely] to do what is right in large ones.

Luke 16:4

I know what I will do, so when I am fired they [i.e., his master’s customers] will welcome me into their homes.’

Luke 16:7

Then he said to another [customer], ‘And how much do you owe [him]?’ And he answered, ‘One thousand bushels of wheat.’ The property manager said to him, ‘Take your contract and write eight hundred [bushels].’

Luke 18:6

And the Lord said, “Listen to what [even] this unjust judge said [about the widow].

Luke 20:34

And Jesus said to them, “The people of this age [i.e., who live on earth] marry and are given away in marriage,

Luke 20:35

but those who are considered worthy of gaining that age [i.e., the future, never ending state] and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given away in marriage.

John 12:36

[So], believe in the Light [i.e., Jesus is speaking of Himself] while you [still] have the Light [with you], so that you can become enlightened people.” After Jesus said these things, He left there and hid Himself from them.

1 Corinthians 3:18

No one should fool himself. If any person among you thinks he is smart, by human standards, he should become a “fool,” so that he can become [really] wise.

Ephesians 5:8

for you people were once darkness [i.e., when living in sin], but now you are light in [fellowship with] the Lord. [So], live like people who belong to light [i.e., who live godly lives],

Philippians 3:19

Their [ultimate] end is [spiritual] destruction; their god is their appetite; they boast of what they ought to be ashamed of, and they [constantly] think about worldly things.

1 Thessalonians 5:5

for all of you people belong to the light; you belong to the daytime. We do not belong to the night or to darkness. [Note: In this passage “light” and “daytime” refer to spiritual illumination, while “darkness” and “night” refer to spiritual ignorance].

1 Peter 2:9

But you people are especially chosen [by God]; you are a royal body of priests; you are a nation especially set apart for God’s use; you are a people who belong exclusively to God, that you may express the virtues of the One who called you out of darkness [i.e., of sin and error], and into His marvelous light [i.e., righteousness and truth].

1 John 3:10

Here is how the children of God and the children of the devil can be recognized: All those who do not continue to do what is right do not belong to God. Also, the person who does not continue to love his brother [or sister does not belong to God].