Luke 18
1 And he spake a parable unto them to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and never despair.
2 saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, and regarded not man:
“There was,” he said, “in a certain town a judge, who had no fear of God nor regard for people.
3 and there was a widow in that city; and she came oft unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
In the same town there was a widow who went to him again and again, and said ‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’
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 the judge refused, but afterward he said to himself ‘Although I am without fear of God or regard for people,
5 yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest she wear me out by her continual coming.
yet, as this widow is so troublesome, I will grant her justice, to stop her from plaguing me with her endless visits.’”
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unrighteous judge saith.
Then the Master added, “Listen to what this iniquitous judge says!
7 And shall not God avenge his elect, which cry to him day and night, and he is longsuffering over them?
And God – won’t he see that his own people, who cry to him night and day, have justice done them – though he holds his hand?
8 I say unto you, that he will avenge them speedily. Howbeit when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
He will, I tell you, give them justice soon enough! Yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
9 And he spake also this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and set all others at nought:
Another time, speaking to people who were satisfied that they were religious, and who regarded everyone else with scorn, Jesus told 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 into the Temple Courts to pray. One was 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 the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
The Pharisee stood forward and began praying to himself in this way – ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men – thieves, rogues, adulterers – or even like this tax-gatherer.
12 I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I get.
I fast twice a week, and give a tenth of everything I get to God.’
13 But the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be merciful to me a sinner.
Meanwhile the tax-gatherer stood at a distance, not venturing even to raise his eyes to heaven, but he kept striking his breast and saying ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
14 I say unto you, This man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; but he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
This man, I tell you, went home pardoned, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, while everyone who humbles himself will be exalted.”
15 And they brought unto him also their babes, that he should touch them: but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
Some of the people were bringing even their babies to Jesus, for him to touch them; but, when the disciples saw it, they began to find fault with those who had brought them.
16 But Jesus called them unto him, saying, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Jesus, however, called the little children to him. “Let the little children come to me,” he said, “and do not hinder them, for it is to the 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, he shall in no wise enter therein.
I tell you, unless a man receives the kingdom of God like a child, he will not enter it at all.”
18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? (aiōnios g166)
And one of the leaders asked Jesus this question – “Good teacher, what must I do if I am to gain eternal life?” (aiōnios g166)
19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, [even] God.
“Why do you call me good?” answered Jesus. “No one is good but 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 mother.
You know the commandments – Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not say what is false about others, Honor your father and your mother.”
21 And he said, All these things have I observed from my youth up.
“I have observed all these,” he replied, “from childhood.”
22 And when Jesus heard it, he said unto him, One thing thou lackest yet: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
Hearing this, Jesus said to him, “There is one thing still lacking in you; sell everything that you have, and distribute to the poor, and you will have wealth in heaven; then come and follow me.”
23 But when he heard these things, he became exceeding sorrowful; for he was very rich.
But the man became greatly distressed on hearing this, for he was extremely rich.
24 And Jesus seeing him said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
Seeing this, Jesus said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!
25 For it is easier for a camel to enter in through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
It is easier, indeed, for a camel to get through a needle’s eye than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God!”
26 And they that heard it said, Then who can be saved?
“Then who can be saved?” asked those who heard this.
27 But he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
But Jesus said, “What is impossible with people is possible with God.”
28 And Peter said, Lo, we have left our own, and followed thee.
“But we,” said Peter, “we left what belonged to us and followed you.”
29 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or wife, or brethren, or parents, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake,
“I tell you,” he answered, “that there is no one who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God,
31 And he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all the things that are written by the prophets shall be accomplished unto the Son of man.
Gathering the Twelve around him, Jesus said to them, “Listen! We are going up to Jerusalem; and there everything that is written in the prophets will be done to the Son of Man.
32 For he shall be delivered up unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and shamefully entreated, and spit upon:
For he will be given up to the Gentiles, mocked, insulted and spat on;
33 and they shall scourge and kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.
they will scourge him, and then put him to death; and on the third day he will rise again.”
34 And they understood none of these things; and this saying was hid from them, and they perceived not the things that were said.
The apostles did not comprehend any of this. His meaning was unintelligible to them and they did not understand what he was saying.
35 And it came to pass, as he drew nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:
As Jesus was getting near Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside, begging.
36 and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant.
Hearing a crowd going by, the man asked what was the matter;
37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
and, when people told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing,
38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.
he shouted out, “Jesus, Son of David, take pity on me!”
39 And they that went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried out the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.
Those who were in front kept telling him to be quiet, but he continued to call out the louder, “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,
Then Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. And, when he had come close up to him, Jesus asked him,
41 What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.
“What do you want me to do for you?” “Master,” he said, “I want to recover my sight.”
42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath made thee whole.
And Jesus said, “Recover your sight, your faith has delivered 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.
Instantly he recovered his sight, and began to follow Jesus, praising God. And all the people, on seeing it, gave glory to God.
