Luke 18
1 And he also spoke a parable to them about it being necessary to always pray, and not to give up,
Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and never despair.
2 saying, In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God, and did not regard man.
“There was,” he said, “in a certain town a judge, who had no fear of God nor regard for people.
3 And a widow was in that city, and she came to him, saying, Avenge me of my opponent.
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 for a time he would not, but after these things he said within himself, Although I fear not God, and regard not man,
For a time the judge refused, but afterward he said to himself ‘Although I am without fear of God or regard for people,
5 yet because this widow causes me a beating, I will avenge her, lest by no end of coming she give me a black eye.
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 ye what the unrighteous judge says.
Then the Master added, “Listen to what this iniquitous judge says!
7 And God, will he, no, not do the vengeance of his chosen who cry out to him day and night, and yet being patient toward them?
And God – won’t he see that his own people, who cry to him night and day, have justice done them – though he holds his hand?
8 I say to you, that he will do their vengeance speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will he then find faith on the earth?
He will, I tell you, give them justice soon enough! Yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
9 And he also spoke this parable to some of those who were persuaded in themselves that they were righteous, and disdained other men.
Another time, speaking to people who were satisfied that they were religious, and who regarded everyone 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 tax collector.
“Two men went up into the Temple Courts to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax-gatherer.
11 Having stood by himself, the Pharisee prayed these things: God, I thank thee that I am not as the rest of men, predatory, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.
The Pharisee stood forward and began praying to himself in this way – ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men – thieves, rogues, adulterers – or even like this tax-gatherer.
12 I fast twice of the week. I tithe all things, as many as I acquire.
I fast twice a week, and give a tenth of everything I get to God.’
13 But the tax collector, having stood from afar, would not even lift his eyes to the sky, but beat upon his breast, saying, God, be thou merciful to me a sinful man.
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 ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
14 I say to you, this man went down to his house justified rather than that man. Because every man who lifts himself up will be made lower, and he who makes himself lower will be lifted up.
This man, I tell you, went home pardoned, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, while everyone who humbles himself will be exalted.”
15 And they were also bringing the infants to him, so that he would touch them, but when the 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 having summoned them, Jesus said, Allow the children to come to me, and do not forbid them, 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 Truly I say to you, whoever will not receive the kingdom of God as a child, will, no, not enter into it.
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 questioned him, saying, Good teacher, having done what, will I inherit eternal life? (aiōnios g166)
And one of the leaders asked Jesus this question – “Good teacher, what must I do if I am to gain eternal life?” (aiōnios g166)
19 And Jesus said to him, Why do thou call me good? None is good except one, God.
“Why do you call me good?” answered Jesus. “No one is good but God.
20 Thou know the commandments. Thou shall not commit adultery. Thou shall not murder. Thou shall not steal. Thou shall not give false testimony. Honor 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, Honor your father and your mother.”
21 And he said, All these things I have kept from my youth.
“I have observed all these,” he replied, “from childhood.”
22 And when he heard these things, Jesus said to him, Yet one thing is lacking from thee. Sell all things, as many as thou have, and distribute to the poor, and thou will 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 will have wealth in heaven; then come and follow me.”
23 But when he heard these things, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.
But the man became greatly distressed on hearing this, for he was extremely rich.
24 And having seen him become very sorrowful, Jesus said, How difficultly those who have riches will enter into the kingdom of God.
Seeing this, Jesus said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!
25 For it is easier for a camel to enter in through the hole of a needle, 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 person to enter the kingdom of God!”
26 And those who heard it said, And who can be saved?
“Then who can be saved?” asked those who heard this.
27 And he said, The things impossible with men are possible with God.
But Jesus said, “What is impossible with people is possible with God.”
28 And 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 to them, Truly I say to you, that there is no man who has left house, or parents, or brothers, or wife, or children for the sake of the kingdom of God,
“I tell you,” he answered, “that there is no one who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God,
31 And having taken along the twelve, he said to them, Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all the things that are written through the prophets about the Son of man will be completed.
Gathering the Twelve around 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 will be delivered up to the Gentiles, and he will be mocked and insulted and spit upon.
For he will be given up to the Gentiles, mocked, insulted and spat on;
33 And after scourging, they will kill him, and the third day he will rise up.
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 hidden from them, and they did not understand the things that were said.
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 as he approached Jericho, a certain blind man sat beside the road begging.
As Jesus was getting near Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside, begging.
36 And having heard a multitude going by, he inquired what this may be.
Hearing a crowd going by, the man asked what was the matter;
37 And they informed him that Jesus the Nazarene passes by.
and, when people told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing,
38 And he cried out, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, be merciful to me.
he shouted out, “Jesus, Son of David, take pity on me!”
39 And those who went ahead rebuked him, so that he would be quiet, but he cried out much more, Thou son of David, be merciful to 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 having stood still, Jesus commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he questioned 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 do thou that I would do to thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive sight.
“What do you want me to do for you?” “Master,” he said, “I want to recover my sight.”
42 And Jesus said to him, Receive sight. Thy faith has healed thee.
And Jesus said, “Recover your sight, your faith has delivered you.”
43 And immediately he received sight, and followed him glorifying God. And all the people when they saw it gave praise to God.
Instantly he recovered his sight, and began to follow Jesus, praising God. And all the people, on seeing it, gave glory to God.
