Luke 18:1-12 ▼

1 And He was speaking a parable to them that it is necessary for them always to pray and not to grow fainthearted,

2 saying, “There was a certain judge in a certain city, not fearing God and not respecting man.

3 And there was a widow in that city, and she was coming to him, saying, ‘Avenge me from my adversary.’

4 And he was not willing for a time, but after these things he said in himself, ‘Even if I do not fear God nor respect man,

5 yet because this widow causes me trouble, I will avenge her, so that coming until the end, she does not exhaust me.’”

6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says.

7 And shall not God execute the avenging of His chosen—the ones crying out to Him day and night—and be deferring in regard to them?

8 I say to you? that He will execute their avenging in quickness. Nevertheless, the Son of Man having come, will He find the faith on the earth?”

9 And He also spoke this parable to some trusting in themselves that they are righteous, and despising others:

10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

11 The Pharisee, having stood, was praying toward himself thus: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like the rest of the men—swindlers, unrighteous, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.

12 I fast twice in the week; I tithe all things, as many as I gain.’