Luke 18
The Story of the Widow Who Would Not Give Up
1 Jesus told his disciples a story. He wanted to show them that they should always pray and not give up.2 He said, "In a certain town there was a judge. He didn't have any respect for God or care about people.3 A widow lived in that town. She came to the judge again and again. She kept begging him, 'Make things right for me. Someone is doing me wrong.'
4 "For some time the judge refused. But finally he said to himself, 'I don't have any respect for God. I don't care about people.5 But this widow keeps bothering me. So I will see that things are made right for her. If I don't, she will wear me out by coming again and again!' "
6 The Lord said, "Listen to what the unfair judge says.
7 "God's chosen people cry out to him day and night. Won't he make things right for them? Will he keep putting them off?8 I tell you, God will see that things are made right for them. He will make sure it happens quickly.
"But when the Son of Man comes, will he find people on earth who have faith?"
The Story of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
9 Jesus told a story to some people who were sure they were right with God. They looked down on everybody else.10 He said to them, "Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee. The other was a tax collector.
11 "The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself. 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people,' he said. 'I am not like robbers or those who do other evil things. I am not like those who commit adultery. I am not even like this tax collector.12 I fast twice a week. And I give a tenth of all I get.'
13 "But the tax collector stood not very far away. He would not even look up to heaven. He beat his chest and said, 'God, have mercy on me. I am a sinner.'
14 "I tell you, the tax collector went home accepted by God. But not the Pharisee. Everyone who lifts himself up will be brought down. And anyone who is brought down will be lifted up."
Little Children Are Brought to Jesus
15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus. They wanted him to touch them. When the disciples saw this, they told the people to stop.
16 But Jesus asked the children to come to him. "Let the little children come to me," he said. "Don't keep them away. God's kingdom belongs to people like them.17 What I'm about to tell you is true. Anyone who will not receive God's kingdom like a little child will never enter it."
Jesus and the Rich Ruler
18 A certain ruler asked Jesus a question. "Good teacher," he said, "what must I do to receive eternal life?"
19 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good except God.20 You know what the commandments say. 'Do not commit adultery. Do not commit murder. Do not steal. Do not give false witness. Honor your father and mother.' " (Exodus 20:12-16; Deuteronomy 5:16-20)
21 "I have obeyed all those commandments since I was a boy," the ruler said.
22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You are still missing one thing. Sell everything you have. Give the money to those who are poor. You will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me."
23 When the ruler heard this, he became very sad. He was very rich.
24 Jesus looked at him. Then he said, "How hard it is for rich people to enter God's kingdom!25 Is it hard for a camel to go through the eye of a needle? It is even harder for the rich to enter God's kingdom!"
26 Those who heard this asked, "Then who can be saved?"
27 Jesus replied, "Things that are impossible with people are possible with God."
28 Peter said to him, "We have left everything we had in order to follow you!"
29 "What I'm about to tell you is true," Jesus said to them. "Has anyone left home or family for God's kingdom?30 They will receive many times as much in this world. In the world to come they will live forever."
Jesus Again Tells About His Coming Death
31 Jesus took the Twelve to one side. He told them, "We are going up to Jerusalem. Everything that the prophets wrote about the Son of Man will come true.32 He will be handed over to people who are not Jews. They will make fun of him. They will laugh at him and spit on him. They will whip him and kill him.33 On the third day, he will rise from the dead!"
34 The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them. So they didn't know what Jesus was talking about.
A Blind Beggar Receives His Sight
35 Jesus was approaching Jericho. A blind man was sitting by the side of the road begging.36 The blind man heard the crowd going by. He asked what was happening.37 They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."
38 So the blind man called out, "Jesus! Son of David! Have mercy on me!"
39 Those who led the way commanded him to stop. They told him to be quiet. But he shouted even louder, "Son of David! Have mercy on me!"
40 Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When the man came near, Jesus spoke to him.41 "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked.
"Lord, I want to be able to see," the blind man replied.
42 Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you."
43 Right away he could see. He followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.
Luke 18
1 And he spake a parable unto them to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint;2 saying, There was in a city a judge, who feared not God, and regarded not man:3 and there was a widow in that city; and she came oft unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;5 yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest she wear me out by her continual coming.6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unrighteous judge saith.7 And shall not God avenge his elect, that cry to him day and night, and yet he is longsuffering over them?8 I say unto you, that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?9 And he spake also this parable unto certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and set all others at nought:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.12 I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I get.13 But the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be thou merciful to me a sinner.14 I say unto you, This man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; but he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.15 And they were bringing unto him also their babes, that he should touch them: but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.16 But Jesus called them unto him, saying, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God.17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall in no wise enter therein.18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, even God.20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor thy father and mother.21 And he said, All these things have I observed from my youth up.22 And when Jesus heard it, he said unto him, One thing thou lackest yet: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.23 But when he heard these things, he became exceeding sorrowful; for he was very rich.24 And Jesus seeing him said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!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.26 And they that heard it said, Then who can be saved?27 But he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.28 And Peter said, Lo, we have left our own, and followed thee.29 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or wife, or brethren, or parents, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake,30 who shall not receive manifold more in this time, and in the world to come eternal life.31 And he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all the things that are written through the prophets shall be accomplished unto the Son of man.32 For he shall be delivered up unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and shamefully treated, and spit upon:33 and they shall scourge and kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.34 And they understood none of these things; and this saying was hid from them, and they perceived not the things that were said.35 And it came to pass, as he drew nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:36 and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant.37 And they told him that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.39 And they that went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried out the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,41 What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight; thy faith hath made thee whole.43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.