^18:7Won’t¹⁸ God give justice to his chosen ones, who cry out¹⁹ to him day and night?²⁰ Will he delay²¹ long to help them? ^18:8I tell you, he will give them justice speedily.²² Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith²³ on earth?”

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Footnotes

18 Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
19 The prayers have to do with the righteous who cry out to him to receive justice. The context assumes the righteous are persecuted.
20 The emphatic particles in this sentence indicate that God will indeed give justice to the righteous.
21 The issue of delay has produced a whole host of views for this verse. (1) Does this assume provision to endure in the meantime? Or (2) does it mean God restricts the level of persecution until he comes? Either view is possible.
22 Some argue this should be translated “suddenly.” When vindication comes it will be quick. But the more natural meaning is “soon.” God will not forget his elect and will respond to them. It may be that this verse has a prophetic perspective. In light of the eternity that comes, vindication is soon.
23 Will he find faith on earth? The Son of Man is looking for those who continue to believe in him, despite the wait.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

NIVNew International Version (2011)

And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Will not God grant justice to his elect who cry out to him day and night? Will he delay helping them? I tell you that he will swiftly grant them justice. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

NLTNew Living Translation

Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

And will not God surely see to it that justice is done to his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night, and will he delay toward them? I tell you that he will see to it that justice is done for them soon! Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, then will he find faith on earth?”

KJV 1900King James Version

And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

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