Luke 18
1 Now he also told them a parable, that we should continually pray and not cease,
Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and never despair.
2 saying: “There was a certain judge in a certain city, who did not fear God and did not respect man.
“There was,” he said, “in a certain town a judge, who had no fear of God nor regard for people.
3 But there was a certain widow in that city, and she went to him, saying, ‘Vindicate me from my 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 refused to do so for a long time. But afterwards, he said within himself: ‘Even though I do not fear God, nor respect 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 is pestering me, I will vindicate her, lest by returning, she may, in the end, wear me out.’”
yet, as this widow is so troublesome, I will grant her justice, to stop her from plaguing me with her endless visits.’”
6 Then the Lord said: “Listen to what the unjust judge said.
Then the Master added, “Listen to what this iniquitous judge says!
7 So then, will not God grant the vindication of his elect, who cry out to him day and night? Or will he continue to endure 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 tell you that he will quickly bring vindication to them. Yet truly, when the Son of man returns, do you think that he will find faith on 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 Now about certain persons who consider themselves to be just, while disdaining others, he told also this parable:
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 ascended to the temple, in order to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector.
“Two men went up into the Temple Courts to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax-gatherer.
11 Standing, the Pharisee prayed within himself in this way: ‘O God, I give thanks to you that I am not like the rest of men: robbers, unjust, adulterers, even as this tax collector chooses to be.
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 between Sabbaths. I give tithes from all that I possess.’
I fast twice a week, and give a tenth of everything I get to God.’
13 And the tax collector, standing at a distance, was not willing to even lift up his eyes to heaven. But he struck his chest, saying: ‘O 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 one descended to his house justified, but not the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled; and whoever humbles himself will 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 were bringing little children to him, so that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw this, 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, calling them together, said: “Allow the children to come to me, and do not be an obstacle to 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 Amen, I say to you, whoever will not accept the kingdom of God like a child, will 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 leader questioned him, saying: “Good teacher, what should I do to possess 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 Then Jesus said to him: “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.
“Why do you call me good?” answered Jesus. “No one is good but God.
20 You know the commandments: You shall not kill. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not give false testimony. Honor your father and 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, “I have kept all these things from my youth.”
“I have observed all these,” he replied, “from childhood.”
22 And when Jesus heard this, he said to him: “One thing is still lacking for you. Sell all the things that you have, and give to the poor. And then you 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 When he heard this, he became very sorrowful. For he was very rich.
But the man became greatly distressed on hearing this, for he was extremely rich.
24 Then Jesus, seeing him brought to sorrow, said: “How difficult it is for those who have money 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 pass through the eye of a needle, than for a wealthy 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 were listening to this said, “Then who is able to be saved?”
“Then who can be saved?” asked those who heard this.
27 He said to them, “Things that are impossible with men are possible with God.”
But Jesus said, “What is impossible with people is possible with God.”
28 And Peter said, “Behold, we have left everything, and we have followed you.”
“But we,” said Peter, “we left what belonged to us and followed you.”
29 And he said to them: “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has left behind home, or parents, or brothers, or a 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 Then Jesus took the twelve aside, and he said to them: “Behold, we are ascending to Jerusalem, and everything shall be completed which was written by the prophets about the Son of man.
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 handed over to the Gentiles, and he will be mocked and scourged and spit upon.
For he will be given up to the Gentiles, mocked, insulted and spat on;
33 And after they have scourged him, they will kill him. And on the third day, he will rise again.”
they will scourge him, and then put him to death; and on the third day he will rise again.”
34 But they understood none of these things. For this word was concealed 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 Now it happened that, as he was approaching Jericho, a certain blind man was sitting beside the way, 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 was.
Hearing a crowd going by, the man asked what was the matter;
37 And they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.
and, when people told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing,
38 And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, take pity on me!”
he shouted out, “Jesus, Son of David, take pity on me!”
39 And those who were passing by rebuked him, so that he would be silent. Yet truly, he cried out all the more, “Son of David, take pity 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 Then Jesus, standing still, ordered him to be brought to him. And when he had drawn 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 you want, that I might do for you?” So he said, “Lord, that I may see.”
“What do you want me to do for you?” “Master,” he said, “I want to recover my sight.”
42 And Jesus said to him: “Look around. Your faith has saved you.”
And Jesus said, “Recover your sight, your faith has delivered you.”
43 And immediately he saw. And he followed him, magnifying God. And all the people, when they saw this, 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.
