Luke 18:1-13 ▼

1 THEN he spake also to them a parable, to shew that we ought to pray always, and not faint;

2 saying, There was a certain judge in a particular city, having no fear of God, nor respect for man:

3 and there was a certain widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, Do me justice against my adversary.

4 And he would not for a long while: but after this he said, Though I fear not God, nor respect man;

5 yet because this woman is so troublesome to me, I will do her justice, lest by her perpetual coming she stun me with her importunity,

6 Then said the Lord, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

7 And shall not God execute vengeance for his own elect, who cry out to him day and night, though he bear long with them?

8 Yes, I tell you, that he will avenge them quickly. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, ah! shall he find faith on the earth?

9 Then he spake also this parable to certain persons, who had confidence in themselves, that they were righteous, and despised others:

10 Two men went up to the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, the other a tax-farmer.

11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, made this prayer: God, I thank thee, that I am not as the rest of mankind, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or as this tax-gatherer.

12 I keep a fast twice a week, I pay the tenth of all things I possess.

13 And the tax-gatherer standing at a distance, would not even so much as lift his eyes heaven-ward, but smote on his breast, saying, May God accept the atonement for me a sinner!