Parables on Prayer

1Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, 2saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. 3Now there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice from my opponent.’ 4And for a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, 5yet because this widow is bothering me, I will give her justice, lest by continually coming she [†]wears me out.’” 6And the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. 7Now, will God not bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, [†]and will He delay long over them? 8I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find that faith on the earth?”

9And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: 10“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood and was praying these things to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ 13But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was [†]beating his chest, saying, ‘God, be [†]merciful to me, the sinner!’ 14I 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.”

15And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they were rebuking them. 16But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

The Rich Young Ruler

18And a ruler questioned Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 19And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? 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.’” 21And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” 22And when Jesus heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack: sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven. And come, follow Me.” 23But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24And Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who are wealthy 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 man to enter the kingdom of God.” 26And those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27But He said, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.”

28And Peter said, “Behold, we have left all that is our own and followed You.” 29And He said to them, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30who will not receive many times more at this time and in the age to come, eternal life.”

31But when He took the twelve aside, He said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be [†]completed. 32For He will be [†]delivered over to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and mistreated and spit upon, 33and after they have flogged Him, they will kill Him, and the third day He will rise again.” 34But the disciples understood none of these things, and this statement was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend the things that were said.

Bartimaeus Regains His Sight

35Now it happened that as [†]Jesus was approaching Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging. 36Now hearing a crowd going by, he began to inquire what this was. 37They reported to him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38And he called out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39And those who went ahead were rebuking him so that he would be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40And Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him, and when he came near, He questioned him, 41“What do you want Me to do for you?” And he said, “Lord, I want to regain my sight!” 42And Jesus said to him, “[†]Receive your sight; your faith has [†]saved you.” 43Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, glorifying God. And when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.