King James Bible
"But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:"
Jesus commands a redirection of investment from earthly to heavenly treasures—referring to spiritual acts like righteousness, mercy, and faithfulness that have eternal value. The 'but' contrasts with the preceding verse about earthly treasures, presenting heaven as the secure alternative for one's life focus. Moths destroying fabric and rust corroding metal were common threats to wealth in ancient times, representing natural decay that inevitably claims all material possessions. This imagery emphasizes the perishable nature of earthly goods versus the incorruptible quality of heavenly rewards. Beyond natural decay, human threats like theft cannot touch heavenly treasures, completing the picture of absolute security. The phrase 'break through' literally refers to digging through mud-brick walls common in first-century homes, making the promise of heaven's impenetrable safety especially vivid to Jesus' original audience.