Luke 18:1–14

THE PARABLE OF THE PERSISTENT WIDOW

18 Now he told them a parable on the need for them to prays always and not give up.t 2 “There was a judge in a certain town who didn’t fear Godu or respect people. 3 And a widow vin that town kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’

4 “For a while he was unwilling, but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or respect people, 5 yet because this widow keepsw pestering me,G I will give her justice, so that she doesn’t wear me outH by her persistent coming.’ ”

6 Then the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 Will not God grant justicex to his electy who cry out to him day and night?z Will he delayaa helping them?A 8 I tell you that he will swiftly grant them justice. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes,ab will he find faith on earth?”

THE PARABLE OF THE PHARISEE AND THE TAX COLLECTOR

9 Heac also told this parable to some who trusted in themselvesad that they were righteousae and looked downaf on everyone else: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray,ag one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee was standingah and praying like this about himself:B ‘God, I thank you that I’m not like other people—greedy,ai unrighteous,aj adulterers,ak or even like this tax collector. 12 I fastal twice a week; I give a tenthC,am of everything I get.’

13 “But the tax collector, standing far off,an would not even raise his eyes to heavenao but kept striking his chestap and saying, ‘God, have mercy on me,D,aq a sinner!’ar 14 I tell you, this one went down to his house justifiedas rather than the other, because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”at