Luke 12:25

And which of you by worrying ¹  can add an hour to his life? ² 

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

"And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life’s span?

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not!

"Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch?

And which of you by taking thought is able to make himself any taller?

And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?

"And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

And which of you by worrying ¹  can add an hour to his life? ² 

¹ tn Or “by being anxious.”

² tn Or “a cubit to his height.” A cubit (πῆχυς, phcu") can measure length (normally about 45 cm or 18 inches) or time (a small unit, “hour” is usually used [BDAG 812 s.v.] although “day” has been suggested [L&N 67.151]). The term ἡλικία (Jhlikia) is ambiguous in the same way as πῆχυς. Most scholars take the term to describe age or length of life here, although a few refer it to bodily stature (see BDAG 435-36 s.v. 1.a for discussion). Worry about length of life seems a more natural figure than worry about height. However, the point either way is clear: Worrying adds nothing to life span or height.