Luke 18
1 Jesus told them this story to encourage them to pray at all times, and not to become discouraged.
He also taught them by a parable that they must always pray and never lose heart.
2 “Once there was a judge in this particular town who didn't respect God or care about anyone,” Jesus explained.
"In a certain town," He said, "there was a judge who had no fear of God and no respect for man.
3 “In the same town lived a widow who time and again went to the judge, saying, ‘Give me justice in the case against my enemy!’
And in the same town was a widow who repeatedly came and entreated him, saying, "'Give me justice and stop my oppressor.'
4 For a while he didn't want to do anything about it, but eventually he said to himself, ‘Even though I don't respect God or care about anyone,
"For a time he would not, but afterwards he said to himself, "'Though I have neither reverence for God nor respect for man,
5 this widow is so annoying I'll make sure she receives justice. Then she won't wear me out by her coming to see me so often.’
yet because she annoys me I will give her justice, to prevent her from constantly coming to pester me.'"
6 Listen to what even an unjust judge decided,” said the Lord.
And the Lord said, "Hear those words of the unjust judge.
7 “Don't you think that God will make sure his chosen people receive justice, those who cry out to him day and night? Do you think he will make them wait?
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 No, I tell you, he will give them justice quickly. However, when the Son of man comes, will he find people on earth who trust in him?”
Yes, He will soon avenge their wrongs. Yet, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?"
9 He also told this story about those who are so sure that they are living right, and who put everybody else down.
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 to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other a tax collector.
"Two men went up to the Temple to pray," He said; "one being a Pharisee and the other a tax-gatherer.
11 The Pharisee stood up and prayed to himself, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—cheats, criminals, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.
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 I fast twice a week, and I pay tithe on my income.’
I fast twice a week. I pay the tithe on all my gains.'
13 But the tax collector stood at a distance. He wouldn't even look up to heaven. Instead he beat his chest and prayed, ‘God, please be merciful to me. I am 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 tell you, it was this man who went home right in God's sight and not the other. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, while those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
"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 Parents were bringing their infants to Jesus to have him bless them by his touch. When the disciples saw what was happening, they tried to stop 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 called the children to him. “Let the little children come to me,” he said. “Don't prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to those who are like them.
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 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
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 One of the rulers came to Jesus and asked him, “Good Teacher, what do I have to do to inherit 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 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus replied. “No one is good, only God.
"Why do you call me good?" replied Jesus; "there is no one good but One, namely God.
20 You know the commandments: do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor 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 “I've kept all these commandments since I was young,” the man replied.
"All of those," he replied, "I have kept from my youth."
22 When Jesus heard this he told the man, “You still lack one thing. Go and sell all you have, give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow 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 when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very wealthy.
But on hearing these words he was deeply sorrowful, for he was exceedingly rich.
24 When he saw his reaction, Jesus said, “How difficult it is for the rich to enter 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's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter 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 Those who heard this wondered, “Who can be saved then?”
"Who then can be saved?" exclaimed the hearers.
27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible in human terms is possible for God.”
"Things impossible with man," He replied, "are possible with God."
28 Peter said, “We left everything to follow you!”
Then Peter said, "See, we have given up our homes and have followed you."
29 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus told them, “anybody who leaves behind their home, wife, brothers, parents, or children for the sake of God's kingdom
"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 Jesus took the twelve disciples aside, and told them, “We're going to Jerusalem, and all that the prophets wrote about the Son of man will be fulfilled.
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 He will be handed over to the foreigners he will be mocked, insulted, and spat upon.
For He will be given up to the Gentiles, and be mocked, outraged and spit upon.
33 They will flog him and kill him, but on the third day he will rise again.”
They will scourge Him and put Him to death, and on the third day He will rise to life again."
34 But they didn't understand anything Jesus told them. The meaning was hidden from them and they didn't grasp what he was talking about.
Nothing of this did they understand. The words were a mystery to them, nor could they see what He meant.
35 As Jesus approached Jericho a blind man was sitting beside the road begging.
As Jesus came near to Jericho, there was a blind man sitting by the way-side begging.
36 He heard the crowd going past, so he asked what was happening.
He heard a crowd of people going past, and inquired what it all meant.
37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
"Jesus the Nazarene is passing by," they told him.
38 He called out, “Jesus, son of David, please have mercy on me!”
Then, at the top of his voice, he cried out, "Jesus, son of David, take pity on me."
39 Those at the front of the crowd told him to stop shouting and be quiet, but he only shouted louder, “Son of David, please 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 Jesus stopped and told them to bring the blind man to him. As he came over, Jesus asked 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 do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, please, I want to see,” he pleaded.
"What shall I do for you?" "Sir," he replied, "let me recover my sight."
42 “Then see!” Jesus told him. “Your trust in me has healed you.”
"Recover your sight," said Jesus: "your faith has cured you."
43 Immediately the man could see. He followed Jesus, praising God. Everyone there who saw what happened also praised 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.
