The Parable of the Persistent Widow

1Now he told them a parable on the need for them to praya always and not give up.b 2“There was a judge in a certain town who didn’t fear Goda or respect people. 3And a widowa in that town kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’

4“For a while he was unwilling, but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or respect people, 5yet because this widow keepsa pestering me,A I will give her justice, so that she doesn’t wear me outB by her persistent coming.’ ”

6Then the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7Will not God grant justicea to his electb who cry out to him day and night?c Will he delayd helping them?A 8I tell you that he will swiftly grant them justice. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes,a will he find faith on earth? ”

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

9Hea also told this parable to some who trusted in themselvesb that they were righteousc and looked downd on everyone else: 10“Two men went up to the temple to pray,a one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee was standinga and praying like this about himself:A ‘God, I thank you that I’m not like other people — greedy,b unrighteous,c adulterers,d or even like this tax collector. 12I fasta twice a week; I give a tentha b of everything I get.’

13“But the tax collector, standing far off,a would not even raise his eyes to heavenb but kept striking his chestc and saying, ‘God, have mercy on me,a d a sinner! ’e 14I tell you, this one went down to his house justifieda rather than the other, because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”b

Blessing the Children

15Peoplea were bringing infants to him so that he might touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16Jesus, however, invited them: “Let the little children come to me,a and don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17Truly I tell you,a whoever does not receiveb the kingdom of God like a little childc will never enter it.”

The Rich Young Ruler

18Aa rulerb asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? ”c

19“Why do you call me good? ” Jesus asked him. “No one is good except God alone. 20You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery; do not murder; do not steal; do not bear false witness; honor your father and mother.”a b

21“I have kept all these from my youth,” he said.

22When Jesus heard this, he told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell all you have and distribute it to the poor,a and you will have treasure in heaven.b Then come, follow me.”c

23After he heard this, he became extremely sad,a because he was very rich.

Possessions and the Kingdom

24Seeing that he became sad,A Jesus said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

26Those who heard this asked, “Then who can be saved? ”a

27He replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”a

28Then Peter said, “Look, we have left what we had and followeda you.”

29So he said to them, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left a house, wife or brothers or sisters, parents or children because of the kingdom of God, 30who will not receive many times more at this time,a and eternal life in the age to come.”

The Third Prediction of His Death

31Thena he took the Twelve aside and told them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem.b Everything that is writtenc through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished.d 32For he will be handed over to the Gentiles,a and he will be mocked,b insulted, spitc on; 33and after they flog him, they will kill him, and he will rise on the third day.”a

34They understood none of these things.a The meaning of the sayinga b was hiddenc from them, and they did not grasp what was said.

A Blind Man Receives His Sight

35Asa he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging. 36Hearing a crowd passing by, he inquired what was happening. 37“Jesus of Nazaretha is passing by,” they told him.

38So he called out,a “Jesus, Son of David,b have mercyc on me! ” 39Then those in front told him to keep quiet,A but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me! ”

40Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to him. When he came closer, he asked him, 41“What do you want me to do for you? ”

“Lord,” he said, “I want to see.”

42“Receive your sight.”a Jesus told him. “Your faith has saved you.”b 43Instantly he could see, and he began to follow him, glorifying God.a All the people,b when they saw it, gave praise to God.