Luke 18:1-13 ▼

1 Now he also told them a parable, that we should continually pray and not cease,

2 saying: “There was a certain judge in a certain city, who did not fear God and did not respect man.

3 But there was a certain widow in that city, and she went to him, saying, ‘Vindicate me from my adversary.’

4 And he refused to do so for a long time. But afterwards, he said within himself: ‘Even though I do not fear God, nor respect man,

5 yet because this widow is pestering me, I will vindicate her, lest by returning, she may, in the end, wear me out.’ ”

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

7 So then, will not God grant the vindication of his elect, who cry out to him day and night? Or will he continue to endure them?

8 I tell you that he will quickly bring vindication to them. Yet truly, when the Son of man returns, do you think that he will find faith on earth?”

9 Now about certain persons who consider themselves to be just, while disdaining others, he told also this parable:

10 “Two men ascended to the temple, in order to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector.

11 Standing, the Pharisee prayed within himself in this way: ‘O God, I give thanks to you that I am not like the rest of men: robbers, unjust, adulterers, even as this tax collector chooses to be.

12 I fast twice between Sabbaths. I give tithes from all that I possess.’

13 And the tax collector, standing at a distance, was not willing to even lift up his eyes to heaven. But he struck his chest, saying: ‘O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.’