Shared Word Translation
Luke 18
The Parable of the Persistent Widow
And he was telling them a parable about the need always to pray and not to lose heart, saying, “There was a certain judge in a certain city who did not fear God and did not respect people. And there was a widow in that city, and she was coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’
And for a time he was unwilling; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect people, yet because this widow is causing me trouble, I will give her justice, lest by continually coming she wear me out.’”
And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God certainly bring about justice for his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I say to you that he will bring about justice for them quickly. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
And he also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying these things: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of people—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all that I acquire.’
But the tax collector, standing far off, was not even willing to lift his eyes to heaven, but was beating his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ I tell you, this one went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Let the Children Come to Me
And they were bringing even infants to him so that he might touch them, but the disciples, seeing it, were rebuking them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Allow the children to come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will certainly not enter it.”
The Rich Ruler
And a certain ruler asked him, saying, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except one—God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother.’”
And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” And hearing these things, Jesus said to him, “One thing you still lack: sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But hearing these things, he became very sorrowful, for he was extremely rich.
And seeing him, Jesus said, “How difficult it is for those having wealth to enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter into the kingdom of God.”
And those who heard said, “Then who is able to be saved?” But he said, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.”
And Peter said, “Behold, we have left our own things and followed you.” And he said to them, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left 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 time, and in the coming age eternal life.”
Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time
And taking the twelve, he said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. For he will be handed over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and mistreated and spit upon, and after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.”
And they understood none of these things, and this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know what was being said.
Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar
And it happened as he was drawing near to Jericho, a certain blind man was sitting by the road begging. And hearing a crowd going by, he was inquiring what this might be. And they told him that Jesus the Nazarene is passing by.
And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And those going before were rebuking him so that he might be silent, but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
And Jesus, stopping, 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, that I may see again.” And Jesus said to him, “See again; your faith has saved you.” And immediately he saw again and was following him, glorifying God. And all the people, seeing it, gave praise to God.