9 And he spake also unto certain who have been trusting in themselves that they were righteous, and have been despising the rest, this simile: 10‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee, and the other a tax-gatherer; 11the Pharisee having stood by himself, thus prayed: God, I thank Thee that I am not as the rest of men, rapacious, unrighteous, adulterers, or even as this tax-gatherer; 12I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all things—as many as I possess.

13 ‘And the tax-gatherer, having stood afar off, would not even the eyes lift up to the heaven, but was smiting on his breast, saying, God be propitious to me—the sinner! 14I say to you, this one went down declared righteous, to his house, rather than that one: for every one who is exalting himself shall be humbled, and he who is humbling himself shall be exalted.’

15 And they were bringing near also the babes, that he may touch them, and the disciples having seen did rebuke them, 16and Jesus having called them near, said, ‘Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the reign of God; 17verily I say to you, Whoever may not receive the reign of God as a little child, may not enter into it.’