Luke 18:1-13 ▼

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.’

13 But the tax collector, standing afar off, was not even willing to lift up the eyes to heaven, but was striking his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’