Luke 18
1 And he spoke a parable to them to show that they ought to pray always, and not be faint-hearted:
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 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 widow in that city; and she kept coming 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 some time. But afterward he said within himself, Though I neither fear 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 troubleth me, I will avenge her; lest by coming for ever she weary 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 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 avenge his chosen, who cry to him day and night, though he be slow to punish in their behalf?
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 avenge them speedily. But yet, when the Son of man cometh, will he 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 to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised all others, he spoke 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 stood and prayed by himself thus: O God, I thank thee that I am not as the rest of 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 gain.
I fast twice a week, and give a tenth of everything I get to God.’
13 But the publican, standing afar off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven; but smote 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 tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one that exalteth himself will be humbled; but he that humbleth 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 brought to him infants also, that he might touch them; and the disciples, on seeing it, 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 called them to him, saying, Suffer the little children to come to me, and forbid them not; for to such belongeth 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 do I say to you, Whoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, will not enter therein.
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 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 one, that is, God.
“Why do you call me good?” answered Jesus. “No one is good but God.
20 Thou knowest the commandments: “Do not commit adultery; Do not kill; Do not steal; Do not bear false witness; 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 have I kept from my youth.
“I have observed all these,” he replied, “from childhood.”
22 And Jesus hearing this said to him, One thing thou still lackest: sell all that thou hast, and distribute 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 But 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 And Jesus seeing him said, How hardly do they that have riches enter 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 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter 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 this said, Who then can be saved?
“Then who can be saved?” asked those who heard this.
27 But he said, What is impossible with men is possible with God.
But Jesus said, “What is impossible with people is possible with God.”
28 Then Peter said, Lo! we left what we had, and followed thee.
“But we,” said Peter, “we left what belonged to us and followed you.”
29 And he said to them, Truly do I say to you, There is no one that hath left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, 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 taking the twelve aside, he said to them, Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all that hath been written by the prophets concerning the Son of man will 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 will be delivered up to the gentiles, and will be mocked, and insulted, and spit upon;
For he will be given up to the Gentiles, mocked, insulted and spat on;
33 and they will scourge him, and put him to death; and 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 And they understood none of these things; and the meaning of these words was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend what was 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 drew near to Jericho, that a certain blind man was sitting by the wayside begging.
As Jesus was getting near Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside, begging.
36 And hearing a 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 pity on me!
he shouted out, “Jesus, Son of David, take pity on me!”
39 And they who went before sharply bade him hold his peace. But he cried out the more, Son of David, have 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 And Jesus stopped, and ordered him to be brought to him. And when he had 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 What dost thou wish me to do for thee? And he said, Lord, to restore 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 thy sight; thy faith hath saved thee.
And Jesus said, “Recover your sight, your faith has delivered you.”
43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, giving glory to God; and all the people on seeing 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.
