Luke 18:1-13 ▼

1 Jesus used this illustration with his disciples to show them that they need to pray all the time and never give up.

2 He said, |In a city there was a judge who didn't fear God or respect people.

3 In that city there was also a widow who kept coming to him and saying, 'Give me justice.'

4 |For a while the judge refused to do anything. But then he thought, 'This widow really annoys me. Although I don't fear God or respect people,

5 I'll have to give her justice. Otherwise, she'll keep coming to me until she wears me out.'|

6 The Lord added, |Pay attention to what the dishonest judge thought.

7 Won't God give his chosen people justice when they cry out to him for help day and night? Is he slow to help them?

8 I can guarantee that he will give them justice quickly. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?|

9 Jesus also used this illustration with some who were sure that God approved of them while they looked down on everyone else.

10 He said, |Two men went into the temple courtyard to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector.

11 The Pharisee stood up and prayed, 'God, I thank you that I'm not like other people! I'm not a robber or a dishonest person. I haven't committed adultery. I'm not even like this tax collector.

12 I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my entire income.'

13 |But the tax collector was standing at a distance. He wouldn't even look up to heaven. Instead, he became very upset, and he said, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'