The Good News According to Luke, Chapter 18
{18:1} He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray,
and not give up, {18:2} saying, "There was a judge in a certain city
who didn't fear God, and didn't respect man. {18:3} A widow was in
that city, and she often came to him, saying, 'Defend me from my
adversary!' {18:4} He wouldn't for a while, but afterward he said to
himself, 'Though I neither fear God, nor respect man, {18:5} yet
because this widow bothers me, I will defend her, or else she will
wear me out by her continual coming.'"
{18:6} The Lord said, "Listen to what the unrighteous judge says.
{18:7} Won't God avenge his chosen ones, who are crying out to him day
and night, and yet he exercises patience with them? {18:8} I tell you
that he will avenge them quickly. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man
comes, will he find faith on the earth?"
{18:9} He spoke also this parable to certain people who were
convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others.
{18:10} "Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee,
and the other was a tax collector. {18:11} The Pharisee stood and
prayed to himself like this: 'God, I thank you, that I am not like the
rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this
tax collector. {18:12} I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that
I get.' {18:13} But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn't
even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be
merciful to me, a sinner!' {18:14} I tell you, this man went down to
his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts
himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."
{18:15} They were also bringing their babies to him, that he might
touch them. But when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. {18:16}
Jesus summoned them, saying, "Allow the little children to come to me,
and don't hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as
these. {18:17} Most certainly, I tell you, whoever doesn't receive the
Kingdom of God like a little child, he will in no way enter into it."
{18:18} A certain ruler asked him, saying, "Good Teacher, what shall
I do to inherit eternal life?"
{18:19} Jesus asked him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good,
except one--God. {18:20} You know the commandments: 'Don't commit
adultery,' 'Don't murder,' 'Don't steal,' 'Don't give false
testimony,' 'Honor your father and your mother.'"[1]
{18:21} He said, "I have observed all these things from my youth up."
{18:22} When Jesus heard these things, he said to him, "You still
lack one thing. Sell all that you have, and distribute it to the poor.
You will have treasure in heaven. Come, follow me."
{18:23} But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he
was very rich.
{18:24} Jesus, seeing that he became very sad, said, "How hard it is
for those who have riches to enter into the Kingdom of God! {18:25}
For it is easier for a camel to enter in through a needle's eye, than
for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God."
{18:26} Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?"
{18:27} But he said, "The things which are impossible with men are
possible with God."
{18:28} Peter said, "Look, we have left everything, and followed
you."
{18:29} He said to them, "Most certainly I tell you, there is no one
who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children, for
the Kingdom of God's sake, {18:30} who will not receive many times
more in this time, and in the world to come, eternal life."
{18:31} He took the twelve aside, and said to them, "Behold, we are
going up to Jerusalem, and all the things that are written through the
prophets concerning the Son of Man will be completed. {18:32} For he
will be delivered up to the Gentiles, will be mocked, treated
shamefully, and spit on. {18:33} They will scourge and kill him. On
the third day, he will rise again."
{18:34} They understood none of these things. This saying was hidden
from them, and they didn't understand the things that were said.
{18:35} It happened, as he came near Jericho, a certain blind man sat
by the road, begging. {18:36} Hearing a multitude going by, he asked
what this meant. {18:37} They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was
passing by. {18:38} He cried out, "Jesus, you son of David, have mercy
on me!" {18:39} Those who led the way rebuked him, that he should be
quiet; but he cried out all the more, "You son of David, have mercy on
me!"
{18:40} Standing still, Jesus commanded him to be brought to him.
When he had come near, he asked him, {18:41} "What do you want me to
do?"
He said, "Lord, that I may see again."
{18:42} Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight. Your faith has
healed you."
{18:43} Immediately he received his sight, and followed him,
glorifying God. All the people, when they saw it, praised God.
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Footnotes:
[1] {18:20} Exodus 20:12-16; Deuteronomy 5:16-20
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