Luke 18
1 And he spoke a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Jesus told them this story to encourage them to pray at all times, and not to become discouraged.
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
“Once there was a judge in this particular town who didn't respect God or care about anyone,” Jesus explained.
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
“In the same town lived a widow who time and again went to the judge, saying, ‘Give me justice in the case against my enemy!’
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
For a while he didn't want to do anything about it, but eventually he said to himself, ‘Even though I don't respect God or care about anyone,
5 Yet because this widow troubles me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
this widow is so annoying I'll make sure she receives justice. Then she won't wear me out by her coming to see me so often.’
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge says.
Listen to what even an unjust judge decided,” said the Lord.
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
“Don't you think that God will make sure his chosen people receive justice, those who cry out to him day and night? Do you think he will make them wait?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man comes, shall he find faith on the earth?
No, I tell you, he will give them justice quickly. However, when the Son of man comes, will he find people on earth who trust in him?”
9 And he spoke this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
He also told this story about those who are so sure that they are living right, and who put everybody else down.
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
“Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank you, that I am not as other men are, extortionists, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
The Pharisee stood up and prayed to himself, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—cheats, criminals, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
I fast twice a week, and I pay tithe on my income.’
13 And the publican, standing far off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but stroke upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
But the tax collector stood at a distance. He wouldn't even look up to heaven. Instead he beat his chest and prayed, ‘God, please be merciful to me. I am a sinner.’
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalts himself shall be brought low; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.
I tell you, it was this man who went home right in God's sight and not the other. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, while those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
Parents were bringing their infants to Jesus to have him bless them by his touch. When the disciples saw what was happening, they tried to stop 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.
But Jesus called the children to him. “Let the little children come to me,” he said. “Don't prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to those who are like them.
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 the truth, anyone who doesn't welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? (aiōnios g166)
One of the rulers came to Jesus and asked him, “Good Teacher, what do I have to do to inherit eternal life?” (aiōnios g166)
19 And Jesus said unto him, Why call you me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus replied. “No one is good, only God.
20 You know the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour your father and your mother.
You know the commandments: do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.”
21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.
“I've kept all these commandments since I was young,” the man replied.
22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lack you one thing: sell all that you have, and distribute unto the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
When Jesus heard this he told the man, “You still lack one thing. Go and sell all you have, give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me!”
23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very wealthy.
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!
When he saw his reaction, Jesus said, “How difficult it is for the rich 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's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?
Those who heard this wondered, “Who can be saved then?”
27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
Jesus replied, “What is impossible in human terms is possible for God.”
28 Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed you.
Peter said, “We left everything to follow you!”
29 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that has left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,
“I tell you the truth,” Jesus told them, “anybody who leaves behind their home, wife, brothers, parents, or children for the sake of God's kingdom
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.
Jesus took the twelve disciples aside, and told them, “We're going to Jerusalem, and all that the prophets wrote about the Son of man will be fulfilled.
32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully pleaded, and spitted on:
He will be handed over to the foreigners he will be 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 flog him and kill him, but on the third day he will rise again.”
34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying (rhema) was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
But they didn't understand anything Jesus told them. The meaning was hidden from them and they didn't grasp what he was talking about.
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 approached Jericho a blind man was sitting beside the road begging.
36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.
He heard the crowd going past, so he asked what was happening.
37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passes by.
They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me.
He called out, “Jesus, son of David, please have mercy on me!”
39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, You son of David, have mercy on me.
Those at the front of the crowd told him to stop shouting and be quiet, but he only shouted louder, “Son of David, please have mercy on me!”
40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,
Jesus stopped and told them to bring the blind man to him. As he came over, Jesus asked him,
41 Saying, What will you that I shall do unto you? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.
“What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, please, I want to see,” he pleaded.
42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive your sight: your faith has saved you.
“Then see!” Jesus told him. “Your trust in me has healed 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.
Immediately the man could see. He followed Jesus, praising God. Everyone there who saw what happened also praised God.
