The passage describes a story told by Jesus about a rich man who lived lavishly while a poor man named Lazarus suffered outside his gate. When they died, Lazarus went to heaven to be comforted by Abraham, while the rich man went to hell where he was in torment. The rich man begged Abraham to send Lazarus to bring him water to cool his tongue, but Abraham refused, pointing out that in life the rich man had his pleasures while Lazarus suffered. The rich man then asked Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his five brothers, but Abraham said they have Moses and the prophets and will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.