< Luke 18 >

1 And he was speaking a parable unto them, as to its being needful for them always to pray, and not be faint-hearted;
Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and never despair.
2 saying—A certain judge, there was in a certain city, —having, for God, no reverence, and, for man, no respect.
“There was,” he said, “in a certain town a judge, who had no fear of God nor regard for people.
3 And, a widow, there was, in that city; and she kept coming unto him, saying—Vindicate me from mine 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 was unwilling for a time; but, after these things, he said within himself—Although, neither God, I reverence, nor man, I respect,
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, if only because this widow annoyeth me, I will vindicate her, —lest, persistently coming, she wholly 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 And the Lord said—Hear ye what, the unrighteous judge saith; —
Then the Master added, “Listen to what this iniquitous judge says!
7 And shall, God, in any wise not execute the vindication of his chosen ones, who are crying out to him day and night, although he beareth long with regard 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 tell you—He will execute their vindication, quickly! nevertheless, though, the Son of Man, do come, will he, after all, 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 spake, even unto certain who were confident in themselves that they were righteous, and were despising the rest, 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, one, a Pharisee, and, the other, a tax-collector.
“Two men went up into the Temple Courts to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax-gatherer.
11 The Pharisee, taking his stand, these things unto himself was praying: O God! I thank thee, that I am not like the rest of men, —extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or, even as this tax-collector;
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 a tenth of whatsoever things I gain!
I fast twice a week, and give a tenth of everything I get to God.’
13 But, the tax-collector, afar off, standing, —would not so much as lift up, his eyes, unto heaven, but kept smiting his own breast saying—O God! be propitiated unto me, the 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 one went down justified, unto his house, rather than that one; because, every one who exalteth himself, shall be abased, but, he that abaseth 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 were bringing unto him, even the babes, that he might touch, them; but the disciples, seeing it, began to rebuke 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 near, saying—Suffer, the children, to be coming unto me, and do not hinder 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 Verily I say unto you—Whosoever shall not welcome the kingdom of God, as a child, in nowise shall enter thereinto.
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, questioned him, saying—Good Teacher! by doing what, shall I inherit life age-abiding? (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 But Jesus said to him—Why, callest thou me, good? None, is good, save one—God.
“Why do you call me good?” answered Jesus. “No one is good but God.
20 The commandments, thou knowest: —Do not commit adultery, Do not commit murder, Do not steal, Do 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, Honor your father and your mother.”
21 And, he, said—All these things, have I kept from my youth.
“I have observed all these,” he replied, “from childhood.”
22 And Jesus, hearing, said unto him—Yet one thing, unto thee, is lacking: Whatsoever thou hast, sell, and distribute unto the destitute, —and thou shalt have treasure in [the] heavens; and come! be following 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, he, hearing these things, became, encompassed with grief; for he was rich exceedingly.
But the man became greatly distressed on hearing this, for he was extremely rich.
24 And Jesus, beholding him, said—With what difficulty, shall, they who have money, 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 enter, 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 who heard said—Who, then, can be saved?
“Then who can be saved?” asked those who heard this.
27 And, he, said—The things impossible with men, are, possible with God.
But Jesus said, “What is impossible with people is possible with God.”
28 And Peter said—Lo! we, have left our own possessions, and followed thee!
“But we,” said Peter, “we left what belonged to us and followed you.”
29 And, he, said unto them—Verily, I say unto you—No one, is there, who hath left—house, or wife, or brethren, 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,
30 who shall in anywise not receive manifold in this season, and, in the age that is coming, life age-abiding. (aiōn g165, aiōnios g166)
who will not receive many times as much in the present, and in the age that is coming eternal life.” (aiōn g165, aiōnios g166)
31 And, taking aside the twelve, he said unto them—Lo! we are going up unto Jerusalem, and all the things will be finished, which have been written through means of the prophets, respecting 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 delivered up unto the nations, and be mocked, and insulted, and spit upon, —
For he will be given up to the Gentiles, mocked, insulted and spat on;
33 and, having scourged him, they will slay him, and, on the third day, will, he, arise.
they will scourge him, and then put him to death; and on the third day he will rise again.”
34 And, they, not one of these things, understood, and this saying was hidden from them, and the could not comprehend the things 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, as he was drawing near unto Jericho, a certain blind man, was sitting beside the road, begging.
As Jesus was getting near Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside, begging.
36 And. hearkening unto a multitude moving along, he enquired, what this, might be.
Hearing a crowd going by, the man asked what was the matter;
37 And they told him—Jesus of Nazareth, is passing by!
and, when people told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing,
38 And he cried aloud, saying—Jesus, son of David! have mercy upon me!
he shouted out, “Jesus, Son of David, take pity on me!”
39 And, they that were going before, began to rebuke him, that he might hold his peace. But, he, by so much the more, was crying out—O Son of David! have mercy upon 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, standing still, Jesus commanded him to be led unto 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 What desirest thou, I should do unto thee? And, he, said—Lord! …that I may recover sight!
“What do you want me to do for you?” “Master,” he said, “I want to recover my sight.”
42 And, Jesus, said unto him—Recover sight! Thy faith, hath saved thee.
And Jesus said, “Recover your sight, your faith has delivered you.”
43 And, instantly, he recovered sight, and began to follow him, glorifying God. And, all the people, beholding, gave praise unto God.
Instantly he recovered his sight, and began to follow Jesus, praising God. And all the people, on seeing it, gave glory to God.

< Luke 18 >