Luke 18
1 And he spoke a parable to them to show that they ought to pray always, and not be faint-hearted:
Jesus told them this story to encourage them to pray at all times, and not to become discouraged.
2 saying, There was in a certain city a judge, who feared not God, nor regarded man.
“Once there was a judge in this particular town who didn't respect God or care about anyone,” Jesus explained.
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she kept coming to him, saying, Avenge me of my adversary!
“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!’
4 And he would not for some time. But afterward he said within himself, Though I neither fear God, nor regard man,
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,
5 yet, because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her; lest by coming for ever she weary me out.
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.’
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
Listen to what even an unjust judge decided,” said the Lord.
7 And will not God avenge his chosen, who cry to him day and night, though he be slow to punish in their behalf?
“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?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. But yet, when the Son of man cometh, will he find faith on the earth?
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?”
9 And to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised all others, he spoke this parable:
He also told this story about those who are so sure that they are living right, and who put everybody else down.
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
“Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed by himself thus: O God, I thank thee that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
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.
12 I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I gain.
I fast twice a week, and I pay tithe on my income.’
13 But the publican, standing afar off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven; but smote his breast, saying, O God, be merciful to me a sinner!
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.’
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one that exalteth himself will be humbled; but he that humbleth himself will be exalted.
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.”
15 And they brought to him infants also, that he might touch them; and the disciples, on seeing it, rebuked them.
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.
16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, Suffer the little children to come to me, and forbid them not; for to such belongeth the kingdom of God.
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.
17 Truly do I say to you, Whoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, will not enter therein.
I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good teacher, what shall I do to inherit everlasting life? (aiōnios g166)
One of the rulers came to Jesus and asked him, “Good Teacher, what do I have to do to inherit eternal life?” (aiōnios g166)
19 And Jesus said to him, Why dost thou call me good? None is good but one, that is, God.
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus replied. “No one is good, only God.
20 Thou knowest the commandments: “Do not commit adultery; Do not kill; Do not steal; Do not bear false witness; Honor thy father and thy mother.”
You know the commandments: do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.”
21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth.
“I've kept all these commandments since I was young,” the man replied.
22 And Jesus hearing this said to him, One thing thou still lackest: sell all that thou hast, and distribute to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.
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!”
23 But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful; for he was very rich.
But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very wealthy.
24 And Jesus seeing him said, How hardly do they that have riches enter the kingdom of God!
When he saw his reaction, Jesus said, “How difficult it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!
25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.
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.”
26 And those who heard this said, Who then can be saved?
Those who heard this wondered, “Who can be saved then?”
27 But he said, What is impossible with men is possible with God.
Jesus replied, “What is impossible in human terms is possible for God.”
28 Then Peter said, Lo! we left what we had, and followed thee.
Peter said, “We left everything to follow you!”
29 And he said to them, Truly do I say to you, There is no one that hath left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God,
“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
31 And taking the twelve aside, he said to them, Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all that hath been written by the prophets concerning the Son of man will be accomplished.
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.
32 For he will be delivered up to the gentiles, and will be mocked, and insulted, and spit upon;
He will be handed over to the foreigners he will be mocked, insulted, and spat upon.
33 and they will scourge him, and put him to death; and the third day he will rise again.
They will flog him and kill him, but on the third day he will rise again.”
34 And they understood none of these things; and the meaning of these words was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend what was said.
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.
35 And it came to pass, as he drew near to Jericho, that a certain blind man was sitting by the wayside begging.
As Jesus approached Jericho a blind man was sitting beside the road begging.
36 And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what this meant.
He heard the crowd going past, so he asked what was happening.
37 And they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.
They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
38 And he cried out, saying, Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!
He called out, “Jesus, son of David, please have mercy on me!”
39 And they who went before sharply bade him hold his peace. But he cried out the more, Son of David, have pity on me!
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!”
40 And Jesus stopped, and ordered him to be brought to him. And when he had come near, he asked him,
Jesus stopped and told them to bring the blind man to him. As he came over, Jesus asked him,
41 What dost thou wish me to do for thee? And he said, Lord, to restore my sight.
“What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, please, I want to see,” he pleaded.
42 And Jesus said to him, Receive thy sight; thy faith hath saved thee.
“Then see!” Jesus told him. “Your trust in me has healed you.”
43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, giving glory to God; and all the people on seeing it gave praise to God.
Immediately the man could see. He followed Jesus, praising God. Everyone there who saw what happened also praised God.
