Luke 18

Thomson^{(i) 1} Then he addressed them with a parable, to shew them that they ought to persevere in prayer, and not be discouraged; ² saying, There was in a certain city a judge, who neither feared God, nor regarded man. ³ And there was in that city a widow, who went to him, saying, Do me justice on mine adversary. ⁴ And for a while he would not. But afterwards he said within himself, Though I neither fear God, nor regard man, ⁵ yet because this widow giveth me trouble, I will do her justice, that she may not, by coming perpetually, torment me. ⁶ And the Lord said, Hear what this unjust judge saith! ⁷ And will not God vindicate the cause of his chosen, who are crying to him day and night"? Will he linger in their cause? ⁸ He will, I assure you, vindicate their cause speedily. But will the son of man, when he cometh, find this belief in this land"? ⁹ Then with a view to some who had a confidence in themselves that they were righteous, and who despised others, he spake this parable, ¹⁰ Two men went up to the temple to pray; the one, a Pharisee; and the other, a publican. ¹¹ The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus, O God, I thank thee that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers; nor even as that publican. ¹² I fast twice a week. I pay tithes of all that I possess. ¹³ But the publican, who stood at a distance, did not presume so much as to lift up his eyes to heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying; God, be merciful to me a sinner. ¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his house acquitted, and not the other. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be humbled, but he who humbleth himself shall be exalted. ¹⁵ When they brought even little children to him that he might touch them, and his disciples observing it, rebuked them; ¹⁶ Jesus thereupon having called the children to him, said, Suffer the children to come to me, and do not hinder them, for of such is the kingdom of God. ¹⁷ Verily I say to you, Whosoever will not as a child receive the kingdom of God, he shall in no wise enter it. ¹⁸ When a certain chief asked him, saying, Good teacher, What shall I do that I may obtain everlasting life? ¹⁹ Jesus said to him, Why callest thou me good? None is good but God alone. ²⁰ Thou knowest the commandments; thou shall not commit adultery; thou shalt not commit murder; thou shalt not steal; thou shalt not bear false witness; honour thy father and thy mother. ²¹ And he said, all these I have kept from my youth. ²² Upon hearing this, Jesus said to him, There is still one thing wanting to thee. Sell all that thou hast and distribute to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me. ²³ At hearing this he was very sorrowful; for he was very rich. ²⁴ When Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, With what difficulty will men who have these things, enter into the kingdom of God! ²⁵ for it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. ²⁶ And when they who heard this said, Who then can be saved? ²⁷ He said, Things, which are impossible to men, are possible to God. ²⁸ Then Peter said, Behold we have forsaken all and followed thee. ²⁹ Whereupon Jesus said to them, Verily I say to you, There is none who hath left house or parents, or brothers, or wife, or children for the sake of the kingdom of God, ³⁰ who shall not receive manifold more in return in this present time, and in the age to come everlasting life. ³¹ Then having taken the twelve aside he said to them, Behold we are going up to Jerusalem, and all that the prophets have written concerning the son of man, will be accomplished. ³² For he will be delivered up to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and insulted, and spit upon. ³³ And when they have scourged him, they will put him to death. And on the third day he will rise again. ³⁴ But they understood nothing of these things. This matter indeed was hid from them, so that they did not comprehend the meaning of what was spoken. ³⁵ And when he drew near to Jericho there happened to be a blind man sitting by the way side, begging, ³⁶ who having heard the crowd passing through it, inquired what might have been the matter. ³⁷ And when they told him, That Jesus the Nazarene is passing by, ³⁸ he cried, saying, Jesus, son of David, have pity on me. ³⁹ Upon this they who went before checked him that he might hold his peace; but he cried still the louder, Son of David, have pity on me. ⁴⁰ Whereupon Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. And when he came near, Jesus asked him, ⁴¹ saying, What dost thou desire me to do for thee? And he said, O master! that I may have sight. ⁴² Then Jesus said to him, Have sight. Thy faith hath cured thee. ⁴³ And instantly he received his sight, and followed him, praising God. And all the people, when they saw this, gave praise to God.