Luke 18
1 And he made a story for them, the point of which was that men were to go on making prayer and not get tired;
He also taught them by a parable that they must always pray and never lose heart.
2 Saying, There was a judge in a certain town, who had no fear of God or respect for man:
"In a certain town," He said, "there was a judge who had no fear of God and no respect for man.
3 And there was a widow in that town, and she kept on coming to him and saying, Give me my right against the man who has done me wrong.
And in the same town was a widow who repeatedly came and entreated him, saying, "'Give me justice and stop my oppressor.'
4 And for a time he would not: but later, he said to himself, Though I have no fear of God or respect for man,
"For a time he would not, but afterwards he said to himself, "'Though I have neither reverence for God nor respect for man,
5 Because this widow is a trouble to me, I will give her her right; for if not, I will be completely tired out by her frequent coming.
yet because she annoys me I will give her justice, to prevent her from constantly coming to pester me.'"
6 And the Lord said, Give ear to the words of the evil judge.
And the Lord said, "Hear those words of the unjust judge.
7 And will not God do right in the cause of his saints, whose cries come day and night to his ears, though he is long in doing it?
And will not God avenge the wrongs of His own People who cry aloud to Him day and night, although He seems slow in taking action on their behalf?
8 I say to you that he will quickly do right in their cause. But when the Son of man comes, will there be any faith on earth?
Yes, He will soon avenge their wrongs. Yet, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?"
9 And he made this story for some people who were certain that they were good, and had a low opinion of others:
And to some who relied on themselves as being righteous men, and looked down upon all others, He addressed this parable.
10 Two men went up to the Temple for prayer; one a Pharisee, and the other a tax-farmer.
"Two men went up to the Temple to pray," He said; "one being a Pharisee and the other a tax-gatherer.
11 The Pharisee, taking up his position, said to himself these words: God, I give you praise because I am not like other men, who take more than their right, who are evil-doers, who are untrue to their wives, or even like this tax-farmer.
The Pharisee, standing erect, prayed as follows by himself: "'O God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people--I am not a thief nor a cheat nor an adulterer, nor do I even resemble this tax-gatherer.
12 Twice in the week I go without food; I give a tenth of all I have.
I fast twice a week. I pay the tithe on all my gains.'
13 The tax-farmer, on the other hand, keeping far away, and not lifting up even his eyes to heaven, made signs of grief and said, God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
"But the tax-gatherer, standing far back, would not so much as lift his eyes to Heaven, but kept beating his breast and saying, "'O God, be reconciled to me, sinner that I am.'
14 I say to you, This man went back to his house with God's approval, and not the other: for everyone who makes himself high will be made low and whoever makes himself low will be made high.
"I tell you that this man went home more thoroughly absolved from guilt than the other; for every one who uplifts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be uplifted."
15 And they took their children to him, so that he might put his hands on them: but when the disciples saw it, they said sharp words to them
On one occasion people also brought with them their infants, for Him to touch them; but the disciples, noticing this, proceeded to find fault with them.
16 But Jesus sent for them, saying, Let the children come to me, and do not keep them away, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus however called the infants to Him. "Let the little children come to me," He said; "do not hinder them; for it is to those who are childlike that the Kingdom of God belongs.
17 Truly I say to you, Whoever does not put himself under the kingdom of God like a little child, will not come into it at all.
I tell you in solemn truth that, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will certainly not enter it."
18 And a certain ruler put a question to him, saying, Good Master, what have I to do so that I may have eternal life? (aiōnios g166)
The question was put to Him by a Ruler: "Good Rabbi, what shall I do to inherit the Life of the Ages?" (aiōnios g166)
19 And Jesus said to him, Why do you say that I am good? No one is good, but only God.
"Why do you call me good?" replied Jesus; "there is no one good but One, namely God.
20 You have knowledge of what the law says: Do not be untrue to your wife, Do not put anyone to death, Do not take what is not yours, Do not give false witness, Give honour to your father and mother.
You know the Commandments: 'Do not commit adultery;' 'Do not murder;' 'Do not steal;' 'Do not lie in giving evidence;' 'Honour thy father and thy mother.'"
21 And he said, All these things I have done from the time when I was a boy.
"All of those," he replied, "I have kept from my youth."
22 And Jesus, hearing it, said to him, One thing you still have need of; get money for your goods, and give it away to the poor, and you will have wealth in heaven; and come after me.
On receiving this answer Jesus said to him, "There is still one thing wanting in you. Sell everything you possess and give the money to the poor, and you shall have wealth in Heaven; and then come, follow me."
23 But at these words he became very sad, for he had great wealth.
But on hearing these words he was deeply sorrowful, for he was exceedingly rich.
24 And Jesus, looking at him, said, How hard it is for those who have wealth to get into the kingdom of God!
Jesus saw his sorrow, and said, "With how hard a struggle do the possessors of riches ever enter the Kingdom of God!
25 It is simpler for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a man who has much money to come into the kingdom of God.
Why, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God."
26 And those who were present said, Then who may have salvation?
"Who then can be saved?" exclaimed the hearers.
27 But he said, Things which are not possible with man are possible with God.
"Things impossible with man," He replied, "are possible with God."
28 And Peter said, See, we have given up what is ours to come after you.
Then Peter said, "See, we have given up our homes and have followed you."
29 And he said to them, Truly I say to you, There is no man who has given up house or wife or brothers or father or mother or children, because of the kingdom of God,
"I solemnly tell you," replied Jesus, "that there is no one who has left house or wife, or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of God's Kingdom,
31 And he took with him the twelve and said to them, Now we are going up to Jerusalem, and all the things which were said by the prophets will be done to the Son of man.
Then He drew the Twelve to Him and said, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything written in the Prophets which refers to the Son of Man will be fulfilled.
32 For he will be given up to the Gentiles, and will be made sport of and put to shame:
For He will be given up to the Gentiles, and be mocked, outraged and spit upon.
33 And he will be given cruel blows and put to death, and on the third day he will come back to life.
They will scourge Him and put Him to death, and on the third day He will rise to life again."
34 But they did not take in the sense of any of these words, and what he said was not clear to them, and their minds were not able to see it.
Nothing of this did they understand. The words were a mystery to them, nor could they see what He meant.
35 And it came about that when he got near Jericho, a certain blind man was seated by the side of the road, making requests for money from those who went by.
As Jesus came near to Jericho, there was a blind man sitting by the way-side begging.
36 And hearing the sound of a great number of people going by, he said, What is this?
He heard a crowd of people going past, and inquired what it all meant.
37 And they said to him, Jesus of Nazareth is going by.
"Jesus the Nazarene is passing by," they told him.
38 And he said in a loud voice, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.
Then, at the top of his voice, he cried out, "Jesus, son of David, take pity on me."
39 And those who were in front made protests and said to him, Be quiet: but he said all the more, O Son of David, have mercy on me.
Those in front reproved him and tried to silence him; but he continued shouting, louder than ever, "Son of David, take pity on me."
40 And Jesus, stopping, gave orders that he was to come to him, and when he came near, he said to him,
At length Jesus stopped and desired them to bring the man to Him; and when he had come close to Him He asked him,
41 What would you have me do for you? And he said, Lord, that I may be able to see again.
"What shall I do for you?" "Sir," he replied, "let me recover my sight."
42 And Jesus said, See again: your faith has made you well.
"Recover your sight," said Jesus: "your faith has cured you."
43 And straight away he was able to see, and he went after him, giving glory to God; and all the people when they saw it gave praise to God.
No sooner were the words spoken than the man regained his sight and followed Jesus, giving glory to God; and all the people, seeing it, gave praise to God.
