Luke 18:1–23
Parable of the Woman and the Judge
18 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men aalways ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor 1regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, 2‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 byet because this widow troubles me I will 3avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ”
6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And cshall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you dthat He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
9 Also He spoke this parable to some ewho trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee fstood and prayed thus with himself, g‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; hfor everyone who exalts himself will be 4humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
15 iThen they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for jof such is the kingdom of God. 17 kAssuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
18 lNow a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
19 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but mOne, that is, God. 20 You know the commandments: n‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ o‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ”
21 And he said, “All pthese things I have kept from my youth.”
22 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. qSell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
23 But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.