< Luke 18 >

1 And he spake a parable unto them [to this end], that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and never despair.
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
“There was,” he said, “in a certain town a judge, who had no fear of God nor regard for man.
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
In the same town there was a widow who went to him again and again, and said ‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
For a time the judge refused, but afterwards he said to himself ‘Although I am without fear of God or regard for man,
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
yet, as this widow is so troublesome, I will grant her justice, to stop her from plaguing me with her endless visits.’”
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
Then the Master added: “Listen to what this iniquitous judge says!
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
And God — will not he see that his own People, who cry to him night and day, have justice done them — though he holds his hand?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
He will, I tell you, have justice done them, and that soon! Yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
Another time, speaking to people who were satisfied that they were religious, and who regarded every one else with scorn, Jesus told this parable —
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
“Two men went up into the Temple Courts to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax-gatherer.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
The Pharisee stood forward and began praying to himself in this way — ‘O God, I thank thee that I am not like other men — thieves, rogues, adulterers — or even like this tax-gatherer.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
I fast twice a week, and give a tenth of everything I get to God.’
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Meanwhile the tax-gatherer stood at a distance, not venturing even ‘to raise his eyes to Heaven’; but he kept striking his breast and saying ‘O God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
This man, I tell you, went home pardoned, rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, while every one who humbles himself shall be exalted.”
15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when [his] disciples saw [it], they rebuked them.
Some of the people were bringing even their babies to Jesus, for him to touch them; but, when the disciples saw it, they began to find fault with those who had brought them.
16 But Jesus called them [unto him], and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Jesus, however, called the little children to him. “Let the little children come to me,” he said, “and do not hinder them; for it is to the childlike that the Kingdom of God belongs.
17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
I tell you, unless a man receives the Kingdom of God like a child, he will not enter it at all.”
18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? (aiōnios g166)
And one of the Presidents asked Jesus this question — “Good Teacher, what must I do if I am to gain Immortal Life?” (aiōnios g166)
19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none [is] good, save one, [that is], God.
“Why do you call me good?” answered Jesus. “No one is good but God.
20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
You know the commandments — ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not say what is false about others, Honour thy father and thy mother.’”
21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.
“I have observed all these,” he replied, “from childhood.”
22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
Hearing this, Jesus said to him: “There is one thing still lacking in you; sell everything that you have, and distribute to the poor, and you shall have wealth in Heaven; then come and follow me.”
23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
But the man became greatly distressed on hearing this, for he was extremely rich.
24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
Seeing this, Jesus said to his disciples: “How hard it is for men of wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!
25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
It is easier, indeed, for a camel to get through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God!”
26 And they that heard [it] said, Who then can be saved?
“Then who can be saved?” asked those who heard this.
27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
But Jesus said: “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
28 Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.
“But we,” said Peter, “we left what belonged to us and followed you.”
29 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake,
“I tell you,” he answered, “that there is no one who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children, on account of the Kingdom of God,
30 Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting. (aiōn g165, aiōnios g166)
who will not receive many times as much in the present, and in the age that is coming Immortal Life.” (aiōn g165, aiōnios g166)
31 Then he took [unto him] the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.
Gathering the Twelve round him, Jesus said to them: “Listen! We are going up to Jerusalem; and there everything that is written in the Prophets will be done to the Son of Man.
32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:
For he will be given up to the Gentiles, mocked, insulted and spat upon;
33 And they shall scourge [him], and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
they will scourge him, and then put him to death; and on the third day he will rise again.”
34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
The Apostles did not comprehend any of this; his meaning was unintelligible to them, and they did not understand what he was saying.
35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:
As Jesus was getting near Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road-side, begging.
36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.
Hearing a crowd going by, the man asked what was the matter;
37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
and, when people told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing,
38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, [thou] Son of David, have mercy on me.
he shouted out: “Jesus, Son of David, take pity on me!”
39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, [Thou] Son of David, have mercy on me.
Those who were in front kept telling him to be quiet, but he continued to call out the louder: “Son of David, take pity on me!”
40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,
Then Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. And, when he had come close up to him, Jesus asked him:
41 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.
“What do you want me to do for you?” “Master,” he said, “I want to recover my sight.”
42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.
And Jesus said: “Recover your sight, your faith has delivered you.”
43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw [it], gave praise unto God.
Instantly he recovered his sight, and began to follow Jesus, praising God. And all the people, on seeing it, gave glory to God.

< Luke 18 >