| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | New Living Translation |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2 “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3 A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4 The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5 but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’” |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7 Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8 I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?” Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10 “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer : ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12 I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Jesus Blesses the Children |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him. |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. |
| 17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” The Rich Man |
| 18[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” |
| 19[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “Only God is truly good. |
| 20[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 20 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.’ ” |
| 21[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 21The man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” |
| 22[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 22When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” |
| 23[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 23But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich. |
| 24[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 24When Jesus saw this, he said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! |
| 25[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 25 In fact, 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!” |
| 26[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 26Those who heard this said, “Then who in the world can be saved?” |
| 27[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 27He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.” |
| 28[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 28Peter said, “We’ve left our homes to follow you.” |
| 29[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 29 “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, |
| 30[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 30 will be repaid many times over in this life, and will have eternal life in the world to come.” Jesus Again Predicts His Death |
| 31[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 31Taking the twelve disciples aside, Jesus said, “Listen, we’re going up to Jerusalem, where all the predictions of the prophets concerning the Son of Man will come true. |
| 32[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 32 He will be handed over to the Romans, and he will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit upon. |
| 33[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 33 They will flog him with a whip and kill him, but on the third day he will rise again.” |
| 34[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 34But they didn’t understand any of this. The significance of his words was hidden from them, and they failed to grasp what he was talking about. Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar |
| 35[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 35As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. |
| 36[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 36When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. |
| 37[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 37They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by. |
| 38[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 38So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” |
| 39[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 39“Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” |
| 40[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 40When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, |
| 41[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord,” he said, “I want to see!” |
| 42[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 42And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” |
| 43[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 43Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too. |
| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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