Luke 18:9–17

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

9 He g also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves h that they were righteous i and looked down j on everyone else: 10 “Two men went up to the * temple complex to pray, k one a * Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee took his stand l m and was praying like this: ‘God, I thank You that I’m not like other people n—greedy, o unrighteous, p adulterers, q or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast r twice a week; I give a tenth s t of everything I get.’

13 “But the tax collector, standing far off, u would not even raise his eyes to heaven v but kept striking his chest w x and saying, ‘God, turn Your wrath from me y z—a sinner!’ a 14 I tell you, this one went down to his house * justified b rather than the other; because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” c

Blessing the Children

15 Some d people were even bringing infants to Him so He might touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 Jesus, however, invited them: “Let the little children come to Me, e and don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 * I assure you: f Whoever does not welcome g the kingdom of God like a little child h will never enter it.”