Luke 18

1He also told them a parable that they must always pray and not lose heart.

2saying, “There was a certain judge in a certain city who neither feared God nor respected man.”

3A widow lived in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, "Vindicate me from my adversary!"

4For some time he was unwilling, but after these things he said to himself, "Even if I do not fear God, nor do I respect man."

5yet because this widow gives me trouble, I will vindicate her, lest her persistent coming wear me out.

6The Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says."

7Will not God vindicate his elect who cry out to him day and night, while showing patience toward them?

8I tell you he will swiftly bring them justice. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?

9He also spoke this parable to certain people confident in themselves that they were righteous and who despised the rest.

10Two men went up to the temple to pray; one a Pharisee, and the other a tax collector.

11The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: "God, I thank you that I am not like other men—extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers—or even like this tax collector."

12I fast twice a week; I tithe all that I acquire.

13But the tax collector stood at a distance, refusing even to raise his eyes toward heaven, but struck his chest, saying, "God, be merciful to me, the sinner."

14I tell you, this one went down to his house justified rather than that one, because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.

15They were bringing even their infants to him so he might touch them, but the disciples, seeing this, rebuked them.

16But Jesus called them, saying, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

17Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept God's kingdom like a child will never enter it.

18And a certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

19Jesus said to him, "Why are you calling me good? No one is good except one—God."

20You know the commandments: do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not testify falsely, honor your father and mother.

21He said, "I have kept all these from my youth."

22When Jesus heard, he said to him, "You still lack one thing: sell everything you possess, distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; come, follow me."

23But when he heard these things, he became exceedingly sorrowful, for he was very rich.

24Seeing him, Jesus said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!"

25For it is easier for a camel to pass through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

26Those who heard said, "Who then can be saved?"

27But he said, "The things impossible for people are possible for God."

28Peter said, "Look, we have forsaken our own belongings and followed you."

29And he said to them, "Truly I say to you, no one has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God."

30Who will not receive many times more in this time, and eternal life in the coming age.

31He took the twelve aside and said to them, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished."

32For he will be handed over to the Gentiles, mocked, insulted, and spat on.

33After flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.

34They did not understand any of these things, and this saying was hidden from them, nor did they comprehend the things being said.

35It happened as he drew near to Jericho, a certain blind man was sitting beside the road begging.

36Hearing the crowd passing by, he asked what this might be.

37They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by.

38And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

39And those going ahead rebuked him to keep silent, but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

40Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him; when he drew near, he asked him.

41What do you wish me to do for you? He said, "Lord, that I may recover sight."

42And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.”

43And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, upon seeing it, gave praise to God.