Luke 18
1 And he spoke to them a similitude also, that men should pray at all times, and not become weary.
Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and never despair.
2 There was a judge in a certain city, who feared not God, and regarded not men.
“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, and said: Vindicate me against 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 to himself: Though I fear not God, and regard not men,
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 vindicate her; that she may not be always coming and troubling 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 our Lord said: Hear what the unjust judge saith.
Then the Master added, “Listen to what this iniquitous judge says!
7 And will not God, much more, vindicate his chosen, who call upon him by day and by night; and have patience with 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 vindicate them speedily. Yet the Son of man will come; and 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 he spake this similitude, against certain persons, who had confidence in themselves that they were righteous, and despised every one.
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 to 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 And the Pharisee stood by himself, and prayed thus: God, I thank thee that I have not been like the rest of men, rapacious, oppressive, and adulterous; nor like 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 But I fast twice in a week, and tithe all I possess.
I fast twice a week, and give a tenth of everything I get to God.’
13 And the publican stood afar off, and would not even lift his eyes to heaven, but smote upon his breast, and said: 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, that this man went down to his house justified, rather than the Pharisee. For every one that exalteth himself, will be humbled; and every one 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, that he might touch them: and his disciples saw them, and 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, and said to them: Suffer little children to come to me, and forbid them not; for of those that are like them, of such is the kingdom of heaven.
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 to you, That he who shall not receive the kingdom of God, as a little child, will not enter it.
I tell you, unless a man receives the kingdom of God like a child, he will not enter it at all.”
18 And one of the chiefs asked him, and said to him: Good Teacher, what shall I do, that I may inherit 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 Jesus said to him: Why callest thou me, good? For, there is none good, except one; God.
“Why do you call me good?” answered Jesus. “No one is good but God.
20 Thou knowest the commandments: Thou shalt not kill; and thou shalt not commit adultery; and thou shalt not steal; and thou shalt not testify a false testimony; 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 He said to him: All these have I kept, from my childhood.
“I have observed all these,” he replied, “from childhood.”
22 And when Jesus heard these words, he said to him: One thing is lacking to thee: go, sell all that thou hast, and give to the poor; and thou wilt have a treasure in heaven; and come after 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 And he, when he heard these words, was dejected; for he was very rich.
But the man became greatly distressed on hearing this, for he was extremely rich.
24 And when Jesus saw that he was dejected, he said: How difficult it is, for those that have wealth 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 It is easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle, than a rich man 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 They who heard it, said to him: Who then can have life?
“Then who can be saved?” asked those who heard this.
27 And Jesus said: Those things which, with men, cannot be, with God, can be.
But Jesus said, “What is impossible with people is possible with God.”
28 Simon Cephas said to him: Lo, we have left every thing, and come after thee.
“But we,” said Peter, “we left what belonged to us and followed you.”
29 Jesus said to him: Verily I say to you: There is no man, who hath left houses, or parents, or brothers, or 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 And Jesus took his twelve, and said to them: Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and all the things written in the prophets, concerning the Son of man, will be fulfilled.
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 over to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and spit in his face;
For he will be given up to the Gentiles, mocked, insulted and spat on;
33 and will scourge him, and will treat him with ignominy, and will kill him; and, the third day, he will arise.
they will scourge him, and then put him to death; and on the third day he will rise again.”
34 But not one of these things, did they understand; but this subject was hidden from them, and they knew not the things told to them.
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 as they came near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the side of the way, begging.
As Jesus was getting near Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside, begging.
36 And he heard the noise of the multitude that passed, and inquired what it was.
Hearing a crowd going by, the man asked what was the matter;
37 They say to him: Jesus the Nazarean is passing by.
and, when people told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing,
38 And he called out, and said: 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 Jesus rebuked him, that he might be silent. But he cried out the 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 stood, and commanded him to be called to him. And when he came to him, 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 and said to him: What wilt thou, that I do for thee? And he said: My 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: See thou; thy faith hath vivified thee.
And Jesus said, “Recover your sight, your faith has delivered you.”
43 And immediately he saw. And he followed after him, and glorified God. And all the people who beheld, gave glory 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.
