Twenty - Luke - 18

18:1  Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and never despair.

18:2  "There was," he said, "in a certain town a judge, who had no fear of God nor regard for man.

18:3  In the same town there was a widow who went to him again and again, and said 'Grant me justice against my opponent.'

18:4  For a time the judge refused, but afterwards he said to himself 'Although I am without fear of God or regard for man,

18:5  Yet, as this widow is so troublesome, I will grant her justice, to stop her from plaguing me with her endless visits.'"

18:6  Then the Master added. "Listen to what this iniquitous judge says!

18:7  And God--will not he see that his own People, who cry to him night and day, have justice done them--though he holds his hand?

18:8  He will, I tell you, have justice done them, and that soon! Yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

18:9  Another time, speaking to people who were satisfied that they were religious, and who regarded every one else with scorn, Jesus told this parable--

18:10  "Two men went up into the Temple Courts to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax-gatherer.

18:11  The Pharisee stood forward and began praying to himself in this way-- 'O God, I thank thee that I am not like other men--thieves, rogues, adulterers--or even like this tax-gatherer.

18:12  I fast twice a week, and give a tenth of everything I get to God.'

18:13  Meanwhile the tax-gatherer stood at a distance, not venturing even 'to raise his eyes to Heaven';but he kept striking his breast and saying 'O God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'

18:14  This man, I tell you, went home pardoned, rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, while every one who humbles himself shall be exalted."

18:15  Some of the people were bringing even their babies to Jesus, for him to touch them; but, when the disciples saw it, they began to find fault with those who had brought them.

18:16  Jesus, however, called the little children to him. "Let the little children come to me," he said, "and do not hinder them; for it is to the childlike that the Kingdom of God belongs.

18:17  I tell you, unless a man receives the Kingdom of God like a child, he will not enter it at all."

18:18  And one of the Presidents asked Jesus this question--"Good Teacher, what must I do if I am to gain Immortal Life?"

18:19  "Why do you call me good?" answered Jesus. "No one is good but God.

18:20  You know the commandments--'Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not say what is false about others, Honor thy father and thy mother.'"

18:21  "I have observed all these," he replied, "from childhood."

18:22  Hearing this, Jesus said to him. "There is one thing still lacking in you; sell everything that you have, and distribute to the poor, and you shall have wealth in Heaven; then come and follow me."

18:23  But the man became greatly distressed on hearing this, for he was extremely rich.

18:24  Seeing this, Jesus said to his disciples. "How hard it is for men of wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!

18:25  It is easier, indeed, for a camel to get through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God!"

18:26  "Then who can be saved?" asked those who heard this.

18:27  But Jesus said. "What is impossible with men is possible with God."

18:28  "But we," said Peter, "we left what belonged to us and followed you."

18:29  "I tell you," he answered, "that there is no one who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children, on account of the Kingdom of God,

18:30  Who will not receive many times as much in the present, and in the age that is coming Immortal Life."

18:31  Gathering the Twelve round him, Jesus said to them. "Listen! We are going up to Jerusalem; and there everything that is written in the Prophets will be done to the Son of Man.

18:32  For he will be given up to the Gentiles, mocked, insulted and spat upon;

18:33  They will scourge him, and then put him to death; and on the third day he will rise again."

18:34  The Apostles did not comprehend any of this; his meaning was unintelligible to them, and they did not understand what he was saying.

18:35  As Jesus was getting near Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road-side, begging.

18:36  Hearing a crowd going by, the man asked what was the matter;

18:37  And, when people told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing,

18:38  He shouted out. "Jesus, Son of David, take pity on me!"

18:39  Those who were in front kept telling him to be quiet, but he continued to call out the louder. "Son of David, take pity on me!"

18:40  Then Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. And, when he had come close up to him, Jesus asked him.

18:41  "What do you want me to do for you?" "Master," he said, "I want to recover my sight."

18:42  And Jesus said. "Recover your sight, your faith has delivered you."

18:43  Instantly he recovered his sight, and began to follow Jesus, praising God. And all the people, on seeing it, gave glory to God.