Luke 18:1-12 ▼

1 He then told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not become discouraged:

2 “There was a judge in a certain town who didn’t fear God or respect man.

3 And a widow 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 man,

5 yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice, so she doesn’t wear me out by her persistent coming.’”

6 Then the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says.

7 Will not God grant justice to His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay to help them?

8 I tell you that He will swiftly grant them justice. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find that faith on earth?”

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else:

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

11 The Pharisee took his stand and was praying like this: God, I thank You that I’m not like other people—greedy, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.’