Luke 18

And he spoke a parable to them about the necessity for them always to pray, and not become discouraged.

He said, “In a certain city there was a certain judge who did not fear God and showed no regard for people.

And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my opponent.’

And he would not for a while, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard people,

yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, lest she wear me out by her continual coming.’”

And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge says.

And will not God give justice to his chosen ones, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them?

I say to you, that he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find trust on the earth?”

And he also spoke this parable to certain ones who were confident in themselves that they were righteous, and treated all others with contempt:

“Two men went up into the Temple to pray, the one a Pharisee, and the other a tax collector.

The Pharisee took a stand and went on praying these things for himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of men, extortionists, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I get.’

“But the tax collector, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven, but smote his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner.’

I say to you, this man went down to his house righteous rather than the other, for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

And they were also bringing to him their babies so that he could lay his hands on them, but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Allow the little children to come to me and do not hinder them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to people who are like these children.

Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will absolutely not enter it.”

And a certain ruler asked him, saying, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit life in the age to come?”

And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.

You know the commandments, do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, and honor your father and mother.”

And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.”

And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me.”

But when he heard these words, he became deeply grieved because he was very rich.

And looking at him, Jesus said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter into the Kingdom of God.

Indeed, it is easier for a camel to enter in through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God.”

And those who heard it said, “So who can be saved?”

But he said, “The things that are impossible for humans are possible for God.”

And Peter said, “Look! We have left our own homes and followed you.”

And he said to them, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left their house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the Kingdom of God,

who will not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come—everlasting life.

And he said to them, “Pay attention! We are going up to Jerusalem, and all the things that are written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished.

For he will be handed over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spat on,

and they will flog and kill him, and the third day he will be raised from the dead.”

And yet they understood none of these things, and this saying was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend the things that he said.

And it came to pass as he drew near to Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the road begging.

And hearing a crowd passing by, he inquired what this meant.

And they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.

And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.”

And those who were leading the way rebuked him so that he would be quiet, but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me.”

And Jesus stopped walking and commanded him to be brought to him, and when he came near, he asked him,

“What do you want me to do for you?” And he said, “Lord, I want to regain my sight!”

And Jesus said to him, “Regain your sight! Your trust has healed you.”

And immediately he regained his sight and began to follow him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.