JMNT(i)
1 Now He went on [and] told them a parable (an illustration cast alongside) with a view facing the [circumstances for] them, [that] it is of necessity at all times to be constantly thinking, speaking and active with an aim toward goodness, ease and well-being (or: keep praying), and not to give in to the bad or worthless [situation or conditions] (or: to dwell within an ugly mood or a disposition of poor quality; or: to respond badly in [something]),
2 proceeding in saying, "A certain judge was living within a certain city [who was] not in the habit of fearing or reverencing God, and also was not normally respecting (turning himself back upon so as to concern himself for) people.
3 "Now there was a widow in that city, and she kept on coming (or: going) to him, repeatedly saying, 'Decide the case from our custom and take up my cause by avenging and vindicating me from my adversary at law (or: plaintiff)!'
4 "And yet for some time he continued unwilling and would not. But after these [repeated pleas] he said within himself, 'Although (or: Even if) I am not normally fearing, being wary of or reverencing God nor respecting or concerned about people,
5 "'yet in fact, because of the [situation with] this widow constantly holding wearisome labor at the side for me (or: continually furnishing me with trouble and vexation while affording me personal cuts; or: = keeps pestering me), I will proceed deciding the case for her and continue avenging her (or: giving her a favorable ruling), so that with [her] continual coming, unto [the] end [of the matter], she may not repeatedly hit me in the face [with it] (or: = treat me severely and wear me out with pestering).'"
6 So the Lord said, "Listen to, and hear, what the judge of the disregard for what is right (the injustice; the actions which were not in accord with the way pointed out; = the dishonesty) is here saying!
7 "Now [think about it]! Would (or: Should) not God by all means make the situation right (or: do that which will bring the fairness, equity and justice) for His picked out and chosen people – those constantly crying, or calling, out to Him day and night – and will He continue long in rushing with passion upon them (= will he continue to delay acting and keep them waiting)? (or: and He will be continuing with forbearance and patient endurance on them).
8 "I am now telling you that He will proceed quickly making the situation right (doing that which will bring fairness, equity and justice) concerning them. But more than this, at the coming of the Son of the Man (= Adam's Son; = the anticipated messianic figure), will He really (or: in fact; consequently) continue finding trust upon the Land (or: faith and loyalty on the earth)?"
9 Now He also spoke this illustration (parable) to certain folks who had reached a settled, persuaded conclusion in which they continued confidently trusting upon themselves – that they are just and continue being fair, equitable and in right relationships which accord with the path pointed out, and [they] continue considering and treating the rest (= other folks) as amounting to nothing, while despising and disregarding [them]:
10 "Two men walked up into the Temple courts to think or speak of having goodness, ease and well-being (or: to pray). The one [was] a Pharisee, and the different (or: other), a tax collector (or: a tribute or customs contractor).
11 "The Pharisee, while standing, began praying these things to himself: 'O God, I continue giving thanks to You that I am not even as the rest of mankind – extortioners, unjust folks, adulterers – or even as this tax collector!
12 "'I habitually fast twice a week; I continually tithe (give the tenth of) everything – as much as I continue acquiring.'
13 "But the tax collector (or: tribute contractor), standing far off (= remaining at a distance, in the background), continued unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven (or: unto the atmosphere or sky) – and in contrast kept on beating (striking) his chest, repeatedly saying, 'O God, at your mercy seat let me, the failure (the one who has deviated and missed the goal; the sinner), be sheltered and cleansed!'
14 "I am now saying to you folks, this man walked down into his home being one having been rightwised (turned in the right direction and placed in right relationship within the Way pointed out), rather than that one, because everyone [who is] constantly lifting himself up (exalting himself) will be brought low and humbled. Yet the person habitually humbling himself and placing himself in a low position will be lifted up and exalted."
15 Now at one point, people began bringing (or: carrying) infants (or: new-born children) to Him, also, so that He would, one after another, touch them. Yet, upon seeing [this], the disciples began respectfully giving a stern and discouraging admonition to them.
16 So Jesus called [the infants] to Him by saying, "Allow the little children to continue coming to Me, and stop hindering and preventing them. You see, of such as these is God's reign (or: the kingdom and influence of God pertains to such as these; God's royal rule and sovereign activity is belonging to such as these).
17 "Amen (or: It is true; or: Make it so; or: Count on it). I am now saying to you folks, Whoever may not welcome and receive God's reign and kingdom as (or: like; or: in the same way as does) a little child, can in no way (or: may under no circumstances) enter into it."
18 Then a certain ruler (or: chief; or: leading person of the ruling class) put a question to Him, saying, "Good teacher, by doing what can I be an heir of, and shall I proceed receiving an allotment in, eonian life (= life in the coming Age when the Messiah reigns; or: life which has the character and qualities of the Age; or: life in and for the ages)?"
19 So Jesus said to him, "Why do you now say [of] Me, 'good'? Not even one person [is] good, except One – God!
20 "You have seen and are thus acquainted with the implanted goal (impartation of the finished product within; inward directive; the mitzvot): 'You should not commit adultery. You should not commit murder. You should not steal. You should not give false evidence or bear false witness or testimony. Be habitually valuing and showing honor to your father and mother'85'" [Ex. 20:12-13; Deut. 5:16-20]
21 So he said, "I observe and maintain all these – from out of my youth, on!"
22 Now upon hearing [this], Jesus said to him, "There continues remaining yet one thing left for (or: with; to; by) you (or: There is still one thing lacking about you). At once sell everything – as many things as you presently have – and distribute [the proceeds] to the destitute folks and you will continue possessing (having and holding) treasure within the heavens (or: among the atmospheres) and then finally, come back here; keep on following Me (or: continue being a follower to Me)."
23 The man, upon hearing these things came to be engulfed in pain, grief and despair – you see, he was extremely rich.
24 Now upon seeing and perceiving him, Jesus said, "How difficultly – as with disagreeable squeamishness concerning food – are the folks who are habitually having money (or: the results of needs-based acquisitions) progressively going their way into God's reign (kingdom; royal rule; sovereign activities).
25 "It is, in fact, easier (more comparable to easy labor) for a camel to enter through a bored aperture (an eye) of a sewing or surgeon's needle (or: projectile point) than for a rich person to enter into God's reign (kingdom; royal rule; sovereign influence)."
26 So the folks hearing [that] said, "And so who is now able (or: continues with power) to be saved or rescued (kept safe; restored to health and wholeness; returned to their original state or condition)?"
27 But He said, "The things [that are] impossible (powerless; incapable) from humanity's side [of the issue] continuously exist being (or: are) possible (empowered; capable) from God's side."
28 Now Peter said, "Look, and take us into mind – we, upon letting our own [plans; possessions; desires; lives] flow away (or: after abandoning our own things), we follow You!"
29 So He says to them, "It is true (or: Amen; Count on it). I am now saying to you folks that there is no one who abandoned (or: lets flow away) house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children on account of (or: for the sake of) God's reign (kingdom; royal rule; sovereign influence and activities)
30 "who would not by all means be getting back and receiving many times more, in this season (or: fitting situation and opportunity; fertile moment), as well as eonian life (life that has the character and qualities of the Age; life whose source comes from the Age; or: life of and for the ages) within the Age which is progressively coming."
31 Now, taking aside the twelve, He said to them, "Look, and consider this. We are progressively walking up into Jerusalem, and all the things having been written through the prophets for (or: pertaining to) the Son of the Man (= the eschatological messianic figure; = Adam's Son) will progressively be brought to their purposed goal and destiny (or: finished; completed; perfected; made fully functional).
32 "You see, He will proceed being handed over to the ethnic multitudes (or: given over for the nations; delivered up among the Gentiles), and then He will continue being mocked, ridiculed and made fun of and He will progressively be insolently personally invaded with outrageous, violent and injurious treatment. He will even be repeatedly spit upon!
33 "Later, after severely lashing [Him] with a whip, they will proceed killing Him off. Then, on (in; during) the third day, He will proceed standing Himself back up again and arising."
34 However, not even one of these things did they make flow together so as to comprehend (or: to understand the meaning of these [words]), and so this gush-effect, and result of the flow (spoken word; utterance; declaration; saying) was continuing to be something having been hidden away from them, and they were not coming to personally know or have an intimate connection with the things being presently said.
35 Now later, during the [situation for] Him to draw near unto Jericho, it happened [that] a certain blind man was by habit sitting beside the road (path; way), periodically begging (asking for something).
36 So upon hearing [the noise] of a crowd progressively passing through, he began inquiring to find out what this might be (= what was happening and what it might mean).
37 Now they explained (or: reported) to him that Jesus, the Nazarene, is presently passing by.
38 Then he at once called out loudly (or: cried out imploringly), "Jesus! O Son of David, mercy me (do that which will bring mercy to me)!"
39 And then those in the lead, who continued preceding the group, began respectfully but sternly giving admonition to him so that he would be silent and keep still. However, he himself kept on shouting louder than ever, "Son of David, mercy me!"
40 So then, being brought to a standstill, Jesus set [them] in motion by urging him to be at once led (or: brought) toward Him. So, at his drawing near, He asked him,
41 "What are you wanting or intending that I should do for you?" So he said, "O Lord (or: Master), that I could see again."
42 Then Jesus said to him, "At once see again! Your trust and faith has healed and made you whole (saved and rescued you [from that condition]) so that you are now restored to your original condition."
43 And at that very moment, and with usefulness, he saw again. And so he began to follow Him, repeatedly glorifying God, and progressively enhancing God's reputation. Then all the people – at seeing [it] – gave praise to God.