1And He also spoke a parable to them to show that it is necessary to pray always, and not to give up, 2Saying, "There was in a certain city a certain judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3And there was a widow in that city; and she kept coming to him, saying, 'Avenge me of my adversary. ' 4Now for a time he would not; but afterwards he said within himself, 'Although I do not fear God and do not respect man, 5Yet because this widow is causing me trouble, I will avenge her, lest she wear me out by her continual coming. ' " 6Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7And shall not God execute vengeance for His elect, who cry out to Him day and night, and patiently watch over them? 8I tell you that He will execute vengeance for them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, shall He find the true faith on the earth?"

9And to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others, He also spoke this parable: 10"Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood and prayed with himself in this manner: 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men-- extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers--or even as this tax collector. 12I fast twice in the week, and I give a tithe of everything that I gain. ' 13And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat himself on the chest, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner. ' 14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled; and the one who humbles himself shall be exalted."

15Then they brought to Him infants also, so that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16But Jesus called them to Him and said, "Permit the little children to come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 17Truly I say to you, whoever shall not receive the kingdom of God like a little child shall in no way enter into it."

18And a certain ruler asked Him, saying, "Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 19Then Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except One--God. 20You know the commandments: 'You shall not commit adultery. You shall not commit murder. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness. Honor your father and your mother. ' " 21And he said, "I have kept all these commandments from my youth." 22And after hearing these things, Jesus said to him, "You still lack one thing; sell everything that you have, and distribute to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come and follow Me." 23But when he heard these things, he became very sorrowful; for he was quite rich. 24Now when Jesus saw him become so sorrowful, He said, "How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25For it is easier for a camel to go through an eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." 26And those who heard this said, "Who then is able to be saved?" 27But He said, "The things that are impossible with men are possible with God."

28Then Peter said, "Behold, we have left everything and have followed You." 29And He said to them, "Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house, or parents, or brothers, or wife, or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30Who shall not receive manifold more in this time, and in the age that is coming-- eternal life."

31And after taking the twelve aside to Himself, He said to them, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that have been written about the Son of man by the prophets shall be fulfilled. 32For He shall be delivered up to the Gentiles, and shall be mocked and insulted and spit upon. 33And after scourging Him, they shall kill Him; but on the third day, He shall rise again." 34But they understood none of these things, and this saying was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend what was said.

35Now it came to pass that as He drew near to Jericho, there was a certain blind man who sat begging beside the road. 36And hearing a multitude passing by him, he asked what this might be. 37And they told him, "Jesus the Nazarean is passing by." 38Then he called out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me." 39And those who were going in front rebuked him, so that he would be silent; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me." 40Then Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he came near, He asked him, 41Saying, "What do you desire to have Me do for you?" And he said, "Lord, that I may receive sight." 42Then Jesus said to him, "Receive sight. Your faith has healed you." 43And immediately he received sight; and he followed Him, glorifying God. Now after seeing this, all the people gave praise to God.