Luke 18

A Widow Who Does Not Give Up

1Jesus told them a parable about the need always to pray and not lose heart. 2He said, “In a certain town there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect people. 3A widow in that town kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my opponent.’ 4For a while he was unwilling. But afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God or respect people, 5because this widow keeps causing me trouble, I will give her justice so she does not wear me out by continually coming.’” 6The Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge says. 7Will God not certainly bring justice for his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep delaying over them? 8I tell you, he will bring them justice quickly. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

A Pharisee and a Tax Collector Pray

9Jesus also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else: 10“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood apart and prayed these things about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like everyone else—extortioners, unrighteous people, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week. I give a tenth of everything I acquire.’ 13But the tax collector stood far away and would not even lift his eyes toward heaven. He beat his chest and said, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ 14I tell you, this man went down to his house set right rather than the other. For everyone who exalts themselves will be humbled, and the one who humbles themselves will be exalted.”

Receive the Kingdom Like a Child

15People were bringing even infants to Jesus so that he might touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, because God’s kingdom belongs to such as these. 17Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive God’s kingdom like a child will certainly not enter it.”

The Rich Ruler

18A ruler asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 20You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery. Do not murder. Do not steal. Do not bear false witness. Honor your father and mother.’” 21The man said, “I have kept all these from my youth.” 22When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing: sell everything you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 23When the man heard this, he became deeply sorrowful because he was extremely rich. 24Jesus saw him and said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter God’s kingdom! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.” 26Those who heard this asked, “Then who can be saved?” 27Jesus said, “What is impossible with people is possible with God.” 28Peter said, “Look, we have left what was ours and followed you.” 29Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, no one who has left house, wife, brothers, parents, or children because of God’s kingdom 30will fail to receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”

The Son of Man Will Be Handed Over

31Jesus took the twelve aside and said, “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. 32He will be handed over to the Gentiles and mocked, mistreated, and spit on. 33After flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” 34They understood none of these things. The saying was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.

A Blind Man Sees and Follows

35As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting beside the road begging. 36When he heard a crowd passing, he asked what was happening. 37They told him, “Jesus the Nazarene is passing by.” 38He cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39Those in front rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40Jesus stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked, 41“What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, I want to see again.” 42Jesus said, “See again. Your faith has saved you.” 43Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, glorifying God. When all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.