The Rich Man and Lazarus

Title ideas:A rich man and poor Lazarus.A rich man and a beggar dieA parable [story] about when someone dies.

One day while Jesus was teaching his disciples about money, religious leaders who loved [their] money were also listening. They thought God favored those who were rich, so Jesus told this story

There once was a rich man who wore colorful robes [clothes for kings] made from nice cloth. Every day, he would eat much tasty food.

A beggar, named Lazarus, often sat near [outside the wall/gate to] the rich man’s house. Lazarus had many sores on his skin, and dogs would come to lick his sores. Lazarus [was so hungry he] wanted to eat food scraps [bits] that fell from the rich man’s table.

One day, Lazarus died. Angels came from God, and carried Lazarus’ soul [spirit] into heaven [to God] where he sat beside [his ancestor] Abraham.

The rich man also died. His family buried his body, but his soul went down into hell [fire]. When the man would look upwards, he could see Lazarus and Abraham.

The man shouted [cried], “[Father] Abraham! Tell Lazarus to bring me some water that will cool my tongue [mouth], because I am in anguish [am burning] in this fire!”

Abraham replied to the man, “Man [My child], when you were alive in your body [on the earth], you enjoyed good clothes and food, but Lazarus had only bad things! But now, Lazarus has comfort [good things], and you are in anguish [have bad things]!“Lazarus cannot come to you, because God has put a great chasm [valley / pit] between heaven and hell!“

The rich man [in hell] said, “Please, sir [Father], send Lazarus back into the world, so he can go to my father’s house and warn my five brothers so they don’t come to this place and suffer!”

Abraham replied to him, “Your brothers know God’s Law, written down by Moses; and they can read what God’s prophets have written. Your brothers must obey them.”

The rich man said, “Oh, [father] Abraham, if someone returns from death to life and goes to my brothers, then they [my brothers] will repent [they will stop doing evil deeds and turn to God]!”

Abraham replied to him, “If they [your brothers] do not listen to [obey] God’s word written by Moses and God’s other prophets, then they will not [be convinced to] stop sinning, even if someone returns to life [being alive] after being dead!”