Luke 18
1 And he spoke also a parable to them, that we 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 a judge in a certain city, who feared not 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 certain widow in that city, and she came to him, saying: Avenge me of 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 would not for a long time. But afterwards he said within himself: Although 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 people,
5 Yet because this widow is troublesome to me, I will avenge her, lest continually 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 will not God revenge his elect who cry to him day and night: and will he have patience in their regard?
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 quickly revenge them. But yet the Son of man, when he cometh, shall he find, think you, 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 And to some who trusted in themselves as just, and despised others, he spoke 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 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 standing, prayed thus with himself: O God, I give thee thanks that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, as also is 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 a 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 so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven; but struck his breast, 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 man went down into his house justified rather that the other: because every one that exalteth himself, shall be humbled: and he that humbleth 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 unto him also infants, that he might touch them. Which when the disciples saw, 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: Suffer children to come to 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 Amen, I say to you: Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a child, shall 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 asked him, saying: Good master, what shall I do to possess everlasting 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 dost thou call me good? None is good but God alone.
‘Why do you call me good?’ answered Jesus. ‘No one is good but God.
20 Thou knowest the commandments: Thou shalt not kill: Thou shalt not commit adultery: Thou shalt not steal: Thou shalt not bear false witness: Honour thy 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, Honour your father and your mother.’
21 Who said: All these things have I kept from my youth.
‘I have observed all these,’ he replied, ‘from childhood.’
22 Which when Jesus had heard, he said to him: Yet one thing is wanting to thee: sell all whatever thou hast, and give to 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 will have wealth in heaven; then come and follow me.’
23 He having heard these things, became sorrowful; for he was very rich.
But the man became greatly distressed on hearing this, for he was extremely rich.
24 And Jesus seeing him become sorrowful, 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 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 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 they that heard it, said: Who then can be saved?
‘Then who can be saved?’ asked those who heard this.
27 He said to them: The 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 things, and have followed thee.
‘But we,’ said Peter, ‘we left what belonged to us and followed you.’
29 Who said to them: Amen, I say to 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, for the sake of the kingdom of God,
31 Then Jesus took unto him the twelve, and said to them: Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things shall be accomplished which were written by the prophets concerning the Son of man.
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 to the Gentiles, and shall 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 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 word was hid from them, and they understood not 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 came to pass, when he drew nigh to Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the way side, 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 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, have mercy on me.
he shouted out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, take pity on me!’
39 And they that went before, rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried out much 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 standing, 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 do to thee? But 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: Receive thy sight: thy faith hath made thee whole.
And Jesus said, ‘Recover your sight, your faith has delivered you.’
43 And immediately he saw, 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.
