Luke 18
1 And He spoke a parable to them that it behooves them to pray always, and not to faint;
[Jesus] told [his disciples] a parable to teach them that they always ought to pray confidently and not be discouraged [if God does not immediately answer their prayers].
2 saying, There was a certain judge in a certain city, fearing not God, and regarding not man.
He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not revere God, and did not care about people, either.
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she continued to come to him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
There was a widow in that city who kept coming to him, saying, ‘Please decide what is just [in the dispute between me and] the man who is opposing me [in court!’]
4 And he was not willing for a time: but after these things he said in himself, Though I fear not God nor regard man,
For a long time the judge refused [to help her]. But later he thought to himself, ‘I do not revere God and I do not care about people,
5 yet because this widow causes me trouble, I will avenge her, lest coming forever she may smite me in the face.
but this widow keeps bothering me! So I will make sure that she is treated justly. [If I do not do that], she will exhaust me by continually coming to me!’”
6 But the Lord said, I fear what the unjust judge says.
Then the Lord [Jesus] said, “[Even though] the judge was not a righteous man, think carefully about what he said!
7 And shall not God avenge His elect, crying to Him day and night, and He is long-suffering over them?
[Similarly], (God will certainly show that [what you] have done has been right!/will God not show that [what you] have done has been right?) [RHQ] He will do this for you whom he has chosen. [He will do this for you] who pray earnestly to him night and day, asking him to [help you]. He may delay [helping you].
8 I say unto you, that He will avenge them speedily. Moreover the Son of man having come, will He then find faith upon the earth?
But I tell you, [some day] he will show that what you did was right, and he will do it quickly. But when [I], the one who came from heaven, return to earth, (there may not be [many people who will still] be trusting [that I will vindicate them] (OR, who will still be trusting in me)./will there be [many people who will still] be trusting [that I will vindicate them] (OR, who will still be trusting in me)?) [RHQ]”
9 And He spoke this parable to certain ones having confidence in themselves that they are righteous, and despising the rest.
[Jesus] also told a parable [to warn] people who mistakenly thought that they were doing things that made them acceptable to God. Besides, they also despised other people.
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
[He said this]: “Two men went up to the Temple [in Jerusalem] to pray. One was a Pharisee. The other was a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee standing was praying in these words, God, I thank thee because I am not like the rest of the men, extortioners, unjust, adulterous, or even as this publican:
The Pharisee stood and prayed silently, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men. [Some] extort money [from others]; some treat others unjustly; some commit adultery. [I do not do such things. And I am certainly not] like this tax collector [who cheats people]!
12 I fast twice per week; I give tithes of all things so many as I possess.
[Our law says that we(exc) should] (fast/abstain from food) [once a week], [but I do more than that. I] fast twice a week! I give [you] ten percent of all that I earn!’
13 But the publican, standing a great way off, did not wish even to lift up his eyes to the heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God, be merciful to me the sinner.
But the tax collector stood far [from the other people in the Temple courtyard because he felt very unworthy]. He would not even look up toward heaven. Instead, he beat on his chest [to show that he was sorry for his sin]. He said, ‘God, I am a sinner; be merciful to me [and forgive me]!’”
14 I say unto you, He went down to his house justified rather than the other: because every one exalting himself shall be abased; and the one humbling himself shall be exalted.
[Then Jesus said], “I tell you [(pl)] that as the tax collector went home, the record of his sins was erased {[God] erased the record of his sins}, not that of the Pharisee. [Remember this]: Those who exalt themselves will be humbled {[God] will humble all those who exalt themselves}, but those who humble themselves will be exalted {[he] will exalt those who humble themselves}.”
15 And they were indeed bringing the infants to Him, that He should touch them: but the disciples seeing rebuked them.
[One day when many people were coming to Jesus], they were also bringing small children. They wanted him to put his hands on [the children and bless them]. When the disciples saw that, they rebuked [those who were bringing those children].
16 And Jesus calling them to Him, said, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
But Jesus called the children [to come to him]. He said to his disciples, “Let the children come to me! Do not stop them! It is people who are [humble and trusting] like they are who can experience God ruling [their lives].
17 Truly I say unto you, whosoever may not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, can not enter into it.
Note this: Those who do not [trust God and] allow him to direct [their lives], as children [do], will not enter the [MET] place where God rules.”
18 And a certain ruler asked Him, saying, Good Teacher, having done what, shall I inherit eternal life? (aiōnios g166)
A [Jewish] leader asked [Jesus], “Good teacher, what shall I do in order to have eternal life?” (aiōnios g166)
19 And Jesus said to him, Why do you call me good? No one is good, except One, God.
Jesus said to him, “Only God is good! No one [else] is good! (So you(sg) should consider carefully what [you are implying by] calling me good!/[Do you realize that you are implying that I am God by] calling me good?) [RHQ]
20 You know the commandments, thou must not commit adultery, thou must not murder, thou must not steal, thou must not bear false witness, honor thy father and mother.
[But to answer your question], you [(sg)] know the commandments that [God gave Moses. He commanded such things as] ‘do not commit adultery, do not commit murder, do not steal, do not testify falsely [about what you have seen or heard], honor your father and mother.’”
21 And he said, All these things have I kept from my youth.
The man said, “I have obeyed all those [commandments] ever since I was young. [So] ([there must be something else I have not done./is that enough]?)”
22 And Jesus hearing these things, said to him, Still one thing is lacking to thee: Sell all things whatsoever you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
When Jesus heard [him say] that, he replied to him, “There is one thing that you [(sg)] have not [done] yet. Sell all that you own. Then give [the money] to poor people. [The result will be that] you will have [spiritual] riches in heaven. Then come and be my disciple!”
23 And hearing these things, he went away very sorrowful; for he was exceedingly rich.
The man became sad when he heard that, because he was very rich [and he did not want to give everything away].
24 Jesus seeing him said, How hardly will those having riches enter into the kingdom of God!
Jesus looked at the man [as he left], and said, “It is very difficult for those who are wealthy [to decide] to let God rule [MET] their [lives].
25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to go into the kingdom of God.
[You would say] that it is impossible for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. It is [almost] as difficult [HYP] for rich people [to decide] to let God rule their [lives].”
26 And those hearing said, And who is able to be saved?
[The Jews thought that God favored rich people, so they thought that if God did not save rich people, he would not save others, either]. So [one of the disciples] who heard him say that replied, “If that is so, it seems that no one will be saved {[that God] will not save anyone} [RHQ]!”
27 And He said, Those things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
But Jesus said, “It is impossible for people [to save themselves]. But [God can save them, because] God can do anything!”
28 And Peter said, Behold, we have left all things, and followed thee.
Then Peter said, “[You know that we(exc) have left] everything we had and have become your disciples [RHQ]. [So what about us?] (OR, [So will God accept/save us?]”)
29 And He said to them, Truly I say unto you, that there is no one who has left house, or parents, or brothers, or wife, or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God,
He said to them, “Keep this in mind: Those who have left [their] homes, [their] wives, [their] brothers, [their] parents, [their] children, [or any other family members], [to tell others] about how God wants to rule [MET] [people’s lives],
31 And taking the twelve aside, He said to them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things which have been written by the prophets shall be perfected to the Son of man.
[Jesus] took the twelve [disciples] to a place by themselves and said to them, “Listen carefully! We [(inc)] are [now] going up to Jerusalem. [While we are there], everything that has been written by the prophets {that the prophets have written} about [me], the one who came from heaven, will be fulfilled {will occur}.
32 For He will be delivered to the Gentiles; and be mocked, and insulted, and spat upon:
I will be put into the hands of {[My enemies] will hand me over to} non-Jews. [The non-Jews] will make fun of me and mistreat me and spit on me.
33 and having scourged Him, they will kill Him; and He will arise the third day.
They will whip me, and [then] they will kill me. But on the third day [after that] I will become alive again.”
34 And they understood none of these things; and this word was hidden from them, and they did not know the things spoken.
But [the disciples] did not understand any of those things that [he said]. They were prevented {[Something] prevented them} from understanding the meaning of what [he] was telling [them].
35 And it came to pass, while He was drawing nigh to Jericho, a certain blind man was sitting by the wayside begging.
As [Jesus and his disciples] came near to Jericho [city], a blind man was sitting beside the road. [He was] begging [for money].
36 And hearing the multitude passing by, he inquired what it might be.
When he heard the crowd [of people] passing by, he asked someone, “What is happening?”
37 And they told him that Jesus the Nazarene is going along.
They told him, “Jesus, [the man] from Nazareth [town], is passing by.”
38 And he cried out saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.
He shouted, “Jesus, [you who are] descended from [King] David, [the Messiah], pity me!”
39 And the passersby continued to rebuke him, that he should keep silent: but he continued to cry out much more, O thou son of David, have mercy on me.
Those who were [walking] at the front [of the crowd] scolded the man [and] told him to be quiet. But he shouted more loudly, “You who are descended from [King] David, [the Messiah], pity me!”
40 And Jesus standing, commanded him to be led to Him; and he drawing nigh, He asked him,
Jesus stopped and told [people] to bring the man to him. When [the blind man] came near, Jesus asked him,
41 What do you wish that I shall do to you? And he said, Lord, that I may look up.
“What do you [(sg)] want me to do for you?” He replied, “Lord, enable me to see [again]!”
42 And Jesus said to him, Look up: thy faith hath saved thee.
Jesus said to him, “[Then] see! Because you have trusted [PRS] [in me], [I] have healed you!”
43 And immediately he looked up, and followed Him, glorifying God: and all the people, seeing, gave praise to God.
Immediately he was able to see! And he went with [Jesus], praising God. And when all the people who were [going with Jesus] saw it, they also praised God.
