Luke 18:1-43
18 Then he went on to tell them an illustration with regard to the need for them always to pray and not to give up,+
2 saying: “In a certain city there was a certain judge that had no fear of God and had no respect for man.
3 But there was a widow in that city and she kept going+ to him, saying, ‘See that I get justice from my adversary at law.’
4 Well, for a while he was unwilling, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Although I do not fear God or respect a man,
5 at any rate, because of this widow’s continually making me trouble,+ I will see that she gets justice, so that she will not keep coming and pummeling*+ me to a finish.’”
6 Then the Lord said: “HEAR what the judge, although unrighteous, said!
7 Certainly, then, shall not God cause justice+ to be done for his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night, even though he is long-suffering+ toward them?
8 I tell YOU, He will cause justice to be done to them speedily.+ Nevertheless, when the Son of man arrives, will he really find the faith* on the earth?”
9 But he spoke this illustration also to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous+ and who considered the rest as nothing:+
10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee stood+ and began to pray+ these things to himself, ‘O God, I thank you I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.+
12 I fast twice a week, I give the tenth of all things I acquire.’+
13 But the tax collector standing at a distance was not willing even to raise his eyes heavenward, but kept beating his breast,+ saying, ‘O God, be gracious to me a sinner.’+
14 I tell YOU, This man went down to his home proved more righteous+ than that man; because everyone that exalts himself will be humiliated, but he that humbles himself will be exalted.”+
15 Now people began to bring him also their infants* for him to touch these; but on seeing it the disciples began to reprimand them.+
16 However, Jesus called the [infants] to him, saying: “Let the young children come to me, and do not try to stop them. For the kingdom of God belongs to suchlike ones.+
17 Truly I say to YOU, Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a young child will by no means get into it.”+
18 And a certain ruler questioned him, saying: “Good Teacher, by doing what shall I inherit everlasting life?”+
19 Jesus said to him: “Why do you call me good? Nobody is good, except one, God.+
20 You know the commandments,+ ‘Do not commit adultery,+ Do not murder,+ Do not steal,+ Do not bear false witness,+ Honor your father and mother.’”+
21 Then he said: “All these I have kept from youth on.”+
22 After hearing that, Jesus said to him: “There is yet one thing lacking about you: Sell all the things you have and distribute to poor people, and you will have treasure in the heavens; and come be my follower.”+
23 When he heard this, he became deeply grieved, for he was very rich.+
24 Jesus looked at him and said: “How difficult a thing it will be for those having money to make their way into the kingdom of God!+
25 It is easier, in fact, for a camel to get through the eye of a sewing needle than for a rich man to get into the kingdom of God.”+
26 Those who heard this said: “Who possibly can be saved?”
27 He said: “The things impossible with men are possible with God.”+
28 But Peter said: “Look! We have left our own things and followed you.”+
29 He said to them: “Truly I say to YOU, There is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God+
30 who will not in any way get many times more in this period of time, and in the coming system of things* everlasting life.”+
31 Then he took the twelve aside and said to them: “Look! We are going up to Jerusalem, and all the things written by means of the prophets+ as to the Son of man will be completed.+
32 For instance, he will be delivered up to [men of] the nations and will be made fun+ of and be treated insolently+ and spit+ upon;
33 and after scourging+ him they will kill+ him, but on the third day he will rise.”+
34 However, they did not get the meaning of any of these things; but this utterance was hidden from them, and they were not knowing the things said.+
35 Now as he was getting near to Jerʹi·cho a certain blind man was sitting beside the road begging.+
36 Because he heard a crowd moving through he began to inquire what this might mean.
37 They reported to him: “Jesus the Naz·a·reneʹ is passing by!”+
38 At that he cried out, saying: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”+
39 And those going in advance began to tell him sternly to keep quiet, but that much more he kept shouting: “Son of David, have mercy on me.”+
40 Then Jesus stood still and commanded the [man] to be led to him.+ After he got near, [Jesus]* asked him:
41 “What do you want me to do for you?”+ He said: “Lord,* let me recover sight.”+
42 So Jesus said to him: “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.”*+
43 And instantly he recovered sight,+ and he began to follow him, glorifying God.+ Also, all the people, at seeing [it], gave praise to God.
Footnotes
^ Or, “browbeating.” From a word meaning “to hit under the eye.”
^ Or, “find this faith.”
^ Or, “children.”
^ Or, “order of things.” Gr., ai·oʹni; Lat., saeʹcu·lo; J22(Heb.), ba·ʽoh·lamʹ, “in the order of things.”
^ Lit., “he.”
^ Or, “Master.”
^ Or, “has saved you.”
