Luke 18
1 AND he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
He also taught them by a parable that they must always pray and never lose heart.
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded 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 city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
And in the same town was a widow who repeatedly came and entreated him, saying, "'Give me justice and stop my oppressor.'
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard 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 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
yet because she annoys me I will give her justice, to prevent her from constantly coming to pester me.'"
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
And the Lord said, "Hear those words of the unjust judge.
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
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 tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Yes, He will soon avenge their wrongs. Yet, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?"
9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised 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 into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
"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 and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
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 in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
I fast twice a week. I pay the tithe on all my gains.'
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to 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 tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall 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 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked 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 them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
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 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
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 asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I 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 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.
"Why do you call me good?" replied Jesus; "there is no one good but One, namely God.
20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy 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 have I kept from my youth up.
"All of those," he replied, "I have kept from my youth."
22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, 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 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
But on hearing these words he was deeply sorrowful, for he was exceedingly rich.
24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter 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 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter 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 they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?
"Who then can be saved?" exclaimed the hearers.
27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
"Things impossible with man," He replied, "are possible with God."
28 Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.
Then Peter said, "See, we have given up our homes and have followed you."
29 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake,
"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 Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.
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 shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:
For He will be given up to the Gentiles, and be mocked, outraged and spit upon.
33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
They will scourge Him and put Him to death, and on the third day He will rise to life again."
34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
Nothing of this did they understand. The words were a mystery to them, nor could they see what He meant.
35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:
As Jesus came near to Jericho, there was a blind man sitting by the way-side begging.
36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.
He heard a crowd of people going past, and inquired what it all meant.
37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
"Jesus the Nazarene is passing by," they told him.
38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou 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 they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou 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 stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he 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 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.
"What shall I do for you?" "Sir," he replied, "let me recover my sight."
42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.
"Recover your sight," said Jesus: "your faith has cured you."
43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto 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.
