Luke 18

1Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart. 2He said, “There was once a judge in a certain city who did not fear God and had no regard for anyone. 3In that city there was also a widow who came to him again and again. She said, ‘Give me my rights against my opponent.’ 4For a while he refused. But later he said to himself, ‘I do not fear God and I have no regard for anyone. 5Still, this widow is such a nuisance that I will give her justice. If I do not, she will keep coming until she wears me out.’” 6The Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7Then surely God will give justice to the people he has chosen, when they call out to him day and night. Will he be slow to help them? 8I tell you, he will see them vindicated, and without delay. Even so, when the Son of Man comes, will he find this kind of faith on the earth?” 9There were some who relied on themselves, sure that they were righteous, and who looked down on all others. Jesus told them this parable. 10“Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood and prayed this prayer about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity, who are swindlers, crooks and adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12Twice every week I fast, and I give a tenth of everything I take in.’ 13The tax collector, though, kept back at a distance and would not even lift his eyes toward heaven. Instead he struck his chest again and again and said, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ 14I tell you, it was this man, not the other, who went home put right with God. For everyone who lifts themselves up will be brought low, and the one who takes the low place will be lifted up.”

15People were even bringing their babies to him, so that he would touch them. The disciples saw it and began to scold them. 16But Jesus called them over and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not try to stop them. The kingdom of God belongs to those who are like them. 17Truly I tell you, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God the way a child does will never get into it.”

18One of the leaders asked him, “Good Teacher, what do I have to do to inherit eternal life?” 19Jesus answered, “Why are you calling me good? No one is good but God alone. 20You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery. Do not murder. Do not steal. Do not give false testimony. Honor your father and your mother.’” 21The man replied, “I have kept every one of these from my youth.” 22Hearing this, Jesus told him, “You are still missing one thing. Sell all your possessions and hand out the money to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven. After that, come and follow me.” 23At these words the man was filled with sorrow, for he was a man of great wealth.

24Seeing this, Jesus said, “What a hard thing it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25In fact, a camel could get through the eye of a needle more easily than a rich person could get into the kingdom of God.”

26Those listening asked, “Then who can be saved?” 27He answered, “What human beings cannot do is possible for God.”

28Peter said, “But we have given up what was ours and followed you!” 29He answered them, “Truly I tell you, anyone who has left a house, a wife, brothers, parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30is sure to be given back far more in this life, and in the age that is coming, eternal life.”

31Taking the Twelve aside, he told them, “We are now going up to Jerusalem, and all that the prophets wrote about the Son of Man will come to pass. 32He will be given over to the Gentiles, who will make fun of him, treat him shamefully and spit on him. 33After whipping him they will put him to death, and on the third day he will rise.” 34But the Twelve understood none of this. What he said was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what he meant.

35Jesus was approaching Jericho. A blind man was sitting there beside the road, begging. 36He heard a crowd passing by and asked what it was all about. 37They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is going by.” 38So he shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39The people at the front of the crowd told him sternly to be quiet, but he cried out all the louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40Jesus stood still and gave orders for them to bring the man to him. When the man came near, Jesus asked him, 41“What would you like me to do for you?” He answered, “Lord, I want to see again.” 42Jesus told him, “See again. Your faith has made you well.” 43At once he could see, and he followed him, giving glory to God. All the people saw what happened, and they gave praise to God.