Luke 16:15

But ¹  Jesus ²  said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in men’s eyes, ³  but God knows your hearts. For what is highly prized ⁴  among men is utterly detestable ⁵  in God’s sight.

1Sa 16:7; 1Ch 29:17; 2Ch 6:30; Ps 7:9; Ps 10:3; Ps 49:13,18; Ps 139:1,2; Pr 16:5; Pr 20:6; Isa 1:10-14; Jer 17:10; Am 5:21,22; Mal 3:15; Mt 6:2,5,16; Mt 23:5,25-27; Lu 10:29; Lu 11:39; Lu 18:11,21; Lu 20:20,47; Joh 2:25; Joh 21:17; Ac 1:18; Ac 15:8; Ro 3:20; 1Co 4:5; Jas 2:21-25; 1Pe 3:4; 1Pe 5:5; Re 2:23

¹ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.

² tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

³ tn Grk “before men.” The contrast is between outward appearance (“in people’s eyes”) and inward reality (“God knows your hearts”). Here the Greek term ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") is used twice in a generic sense, referring to both men and women, but “men” has been retained in the text to provide a strong verbal contrast with “God” in the second half of the verse.

⁴ tn Or “exalted.” This refers to the pride that often comes with money and position.

⁵ tn Or “is an abomination,” “is abhorrent” (L&N 25.187).