Luke 18:1-33 ▼

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!’

14 I say to you?, this one went down to his house justified, rather than that one. For everyone exalting himself will be humbled, but the one humbling himself will be exalted.”

15 And they were bringing the infants also to Him so that He might touch them; but having seen, the disciples were rebuking them.

16 But Jesus summoned them, saying, “Permit the little children to come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of the such is the kingdom of God.

17 Truly I say to you?, whoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall never enter into it.”

18 And a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, having done what will I inherit eternal life?”

19 But Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except One—God.

20 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, honor your father and mother.’”

21 And he said, “All these I kept from my youth.”

22 And having heard, Jesus said to him, “Still one thing to you is lacking: Sell all, as much as you have, and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in the heavens; and come, follow Me.”

23 But having heard these things, he became very sorrowful; for he was exceedingly rich.

24 And Jesus, having seen him, having become sorrowful, said, “How difficultly those having riches enter into the kingdom of God!

25 For it is easier for a camel to enter through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”

26 And those having heard said, “And who is able to be saved?”

27 And He said, “The things impossible with men are possible with God.”

28 And Peter said, “Behold, we, having left our own, followed You.”

29 And He said to them, “Truly I say to you? that there is no one who left house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God

30 who shall not receive back manifold more in this time, and in the age that is coming, eternal life.”

31 And having taken aside the Twelve, He said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things having been written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished.

32 For He will be betrayed to the Gentiles and will be mocked and will be insulted and will be spit upon.

33 And having flogged Him, they will kill Him; and on the third day He will rise again.”