< Luke 18 >
1 He also showed them, by a parable, that they ought to persist in prayer, without growing weary.
2 In a certain city, said he, there was a judge, who neither feared God nor regarded man.
3 And there was a widow in that city, who came to him, saying, Do me justice on my adversary.
4 For some time he refused; be afterward he argued thus with himself, Although I neither fear God, nor regard man;
5 yet, because this widow importunes me, I will judge her cause; let she come perpetually, and plague me.
6 Mark, said the Lord, what the unjust judge determined.
7 And will not God avenge his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he linger in their cause?
8 I assure you, he will suddenly avenge them. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find this belief upon the earth?
9 Then addressing some who were conceited of themselves, as being righteous, and despised others, he proposed this example: --
10 Two men went up to the temple to pray; one a Pharisee, the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee standing by himself, prayed thus: --O God, I thank thee that I am not as other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice a-week. I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 But the publican, standing at a distance, and not daring so much as to lift up his eyes to heaven, smote his breast, and cried, God, be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I assure you, that this man returned home more approved than the other: for whoever exalts himself, shall be humbled; but whoever humbles himself, shall be exalted.
15 Then they presented babes to him, that he might touch them: the disciples observing it, rebuked them.
16 But Jesus calling them to him, said, Permit the children to come to me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.
17 Indeed, I say to you, whoever will not receive the kingdom of God as a child, shall never enter it.
18 Then a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Teacher, what good shall I do to obtain eternal life? (aiōnios )
19 Jesus answered, Why do you call me good? God alone is good.
20 You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery; do not commit murder; do not steal; do not give false testimony; honor your father and your mother.
21 He replied, All these I have observed from my childhood.
22 Hearing this, Jesus said to him, Yet in one thing you are deficient: sell all that you have, and distribute to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: then come and follow me.
23 When he heard this, he was exceedingly sorrowful; for he was very rich.
24 Jesus, perceiving that he was very sorrowful, said, How difficult will it be for men of opulence to enter the kingdom of God.
25 It is easier for a camel to pass through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.
26 The hearers said, Who, then, can be saved?"
27 Jesus answered, Things impossible to men, are possible to God.
28 Then Peter said, Lo! we have forsaken all, and followed thee.
29 Jesus answered, Indeed, I say to you, that there is none who shall have forsaken his house, or parents, or brothers, or wife, or children, on account of the kingdom of God;
30 who shall not receive manifold more in return, in this world, and in the future, eternal life. (aiōn , aiōnios )
31 Then Jesus, taking the twelve aside, said to them, We are now going to Jerusalem, where that all the prophets have written, shall be accomplished on the Son of Man.
32 For he shall be delivered to the Gentiles, and ridicules, and insulted, and spitted on.
33 And after scourging, they will kill him; and he shall rise again the third day.
34 But they understood none of these things: this discourse was dark to them; they did not comprehend its meaning.
35 When he came near to Jericho, a blind man who sat by the way-side begging,
36 hearing the crowd pass by, inquired what was the matter.
37 And being told that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by,
38 he immediately cried, saying, Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.
39 They who went before, charged him to be silent; but he cried the louder, saying, Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.
40 Jesus stopped, and commanded them to bring the man to him. And when he was nigh, he asked him, saying,
41 What do you wish me to do for you? He answered, Master, to give me my sight.
42 And Jesus said to him, Receive your sight; your faith has cured you.
43 Instantly he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people saw it, and praised God.
