Luke 18
1 And he spoke a parable to them, that they ought always to pray, and not to become weary,
Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and never despair.
2 saying: There was in a certain city a judge, who neither feared God nor regarded man.
“There was,” he said, “in a certain town a judge, who had no fear of God nor regard for people.
3 And there was a widow in that city, and she came to him, and said: Avenge me on my opponent at law.
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 while he refused. But afterward he said within himself: Though I fear not God, nor regard 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 troubles 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 says;
Then the Master added, “Listen to what this iniquitous judge says!
7 and will not God avenge his elect, who cry to him day and night, though he delay long in respect to 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 avenge them speedily. Yet, when the Son of man comes, will he find the 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 spoke this parable to some, who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and who despised others.
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 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, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
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 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 even lift up his eyes to 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 ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
14 I say to you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For every one that exalts himself, shall be humbled; but he that humbles himself, shall be exalted.
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 brought to him infants also, that he might 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 And Jesus called them to him, and said: Let the little children come to me, and hinder 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 to you, Whoever shall not receive the kingdom of God, as a little child, shall in no way 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 asked him, saying: Good Teacher, what shall I do to 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 you call me good? None is good but one, that is God.
“Why do you call me good?” answered Jesus. “No one is good but God.
20 You know the commandments, Do not commit adultery; Do not kill; Do not steal; Do not bear false testimony; Honor your father and your 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 He replied: All these have I kept from my youth.
“I have observed all these,” he replied, “from childhood.”
22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him: One thing you yet lack; sell all that you have, and give to the poor, and you shall 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 And when he heard this, he was very sad, for he was very rich.
But the man became greatly distressed on hearing this, for he was extremely rich.
24 When Jesus saw that he was very sad, he said: How difficult it is for those who have riches to 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 go through the eye 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: Who, then, can be saved?
“Then who can be saved?” asked those who heard this.
27 He replied: Things that are impossible with men, are possible with God.
But Jesus said, “What is impossible with people is possible with God.”
28 Then Peter said: Behold, 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: Verily I say to you, There is no one that 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 he took the twelve aside, and said to them: Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.:
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 shall be delivered to the Gentiles, and shall be derided and insulted and spit upon;
For he will be given up to the Gentiles, mocked, insulted and spat on;
33 and they shall scourge him, and put him to death, and on 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 concealed from them; and they understood not the things that 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 came near to Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the road begging.
As Jesus was getting near Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside, begging.
36 And when he heard the multitude passing by, he asked what this meant.
Hearing a crowd going by, the man asked what was the matter;
37 And they told him that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by.
and, when people told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing,
38 And he cried out and said: Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me.
he shouted out, “Jesus, Son of David, take pity on me!”
39 And those who went before rebuked him, that he should be silent. But he cried so much the more: 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 still, and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came 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 do you wish me to do for you? he replied: 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 to him: Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.
And Jesus said, “Recover your sight, your faith has delivered you.”
43 And he immediately received his 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.
