Luke 18
1 Then he spoke a parable to them about how they should always pray and not become discouraged,
Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and never despair.
2 saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect people.
“There was,” he said, “in a certain town a judge, who had no fear of God nor regard for man.
3 Now there was a widow in that city, and she came often to him, saying, 'Help me get justice against my opponent.'
In the same town there was a widow who went to him again and again, and said ‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’
4 For a long time he was not willing to help her, but after a while he said to himself, 'Though I do not fear God or respect man,
For a time the judge refused, but afterwards he said to himself ‘Although I am without fear of God or regard for man,
5 yet because this widow causes me trouble, I will help her get justice, so that she does not wear me out by her constant coming.'”
yet, as this widow is so troublesome, I will grant her justice, to stop her from plaguing me with her endless visits.’”
6 Then the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says.
Then the Master added: “Listen to what this iniquitous judge says!
7 Now will not God also bring justice to his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?
And God — will not 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 bring justice to them speedily. Even so, when the Son of Man comes, will he indeed find faith on the earth?”
He will, I tell you, have justice done them, and that soon! Yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
9 Then he also spoke this parable to some who were persuaded in themselves that they were righteous and who despised other people,
Another time, speaking to people who were satisfied that they were religious, and who regarded every one else with scorn, Jesus told this parable —
10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray—the one was a Pharisee and the other was 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 stood and prayed these things about himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, unrighteous people, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.
The Pharisee stood forward and began praying to himself in this way — ‘O God, I thank thee that I am not like other men — thieves, rogues, adulterers — or even like this tax-gatherer.
12 I fast two times every week. I give tithes of all that I get.'
I fast twice a week, and give a tenth of everything I get to God.’
13 But the tax collector, standing at a distance, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but hit his breast, saying, 'God, have mercy on 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 ‘O God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
14 I say to you, this man went back down to his house justified rather than the other, because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but everyone who humbles himself will be exalted.”
This man, I tell you, went home pardoned, rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, while every one who humbles himself shall be exalted.”
15 The people were also bringing to him their infants so that he might touch them, but when the disciples saw it, 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 called them to him, saying, “Permit the little children to come to me, and do not forbid them. For the kingdom of God belongs to such ones.
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 I say to you, whoever will not receive the kingdom of God like a child will definitely 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 A certain ruler asked him, saying, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (aiōnios g166)
And one of the Presidents asked Jesus this question — “Good Teacher, what must I do if I am to gain Immortal Life?” (aiōnios g166)
19 Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good, except God alone.
“Why do you call me good?” answered Jesus. “No one is good but God.
20 You know the commandments—do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not testify falsely, honor your 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 thy father and thy mother.’”
21 The ruler said, “All these things I have obeyed from the time I was a youth.”
“I have observed all these,” he replied, “from childhood.”
22 When Jesus heard that, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. You must sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will 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 shall have wealth in Heaven; then come and follow me.”
23 But when the ruler heard these things, he became extremely sad, for he was very rich.
But the man became greatly distressed on hearing this, for he was extremely rich.
24 Then Jesus, seeing him, became very sad and said, “How difficult it is for those who are rich to enter the kingdom of God!
Seeing this, Jesus said to his disciples: “How hard it is for men of wealth 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 person to enter the kingdom of God.”
It is easier, indeed, for a camel to get through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God!”
26 Those hearing it said, “Then who can be saved?”
“Then who can be saved?” asked those who heard this.
27 Jesus answered, “The things which are impossible with people are possible with God.”
But Jesus said: “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
28 Peter said, “Well, we have left everything that is our own and have followed you.”
“But we,” said Peter, “we left what belonged to us and followed you.”
29 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, I say to you 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,
“I tell you,” he answered, “that there is no one who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children, on account of the Kingdom of God,
31 After he gathered the twelve to himself, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all the things that have been written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished.
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 will be given over to the Gentiles, and will be mocked, and shamefully treated, and spit upon.
For he will be given up to the Gentiles, mocked, insulted and spat upon;
33 After whipping him, they will kill him, and on 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 They understood none of these things, and this word was hidden from them, and they did not understand 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 It came about that, as Jesus approached Jericho, a certain blind man was sitting by the road begging,
As Jesus was getting near Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road-side, begging.
36 and hearing a crowd going by, he asked what was happening.
Hearing a crowd going by, the man asked what was the matter;
37 They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.
and, when people told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing,
38 So the blind man cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.”
he shouted out: “Jesus, Son of David, take pity on me!”
39 The ones who were walking ahead rebuked the blind man, telling him to be quiet. But he cried out all 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 Jesus stood still and commanded that the man be brought to him. Then when the blind man was near, Jesus 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 do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, I want to receive my sight.”
“What do you want me to do for you?” “Master,” he said, “I want to recover my sight.”
42 Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you.”
And Jesus said: “Recover your sight, your faith has delivered you.”
43 Immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God. All the people, when they saw this, 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.
