Luke 18:4-20
English Standard Version
Chapter 18
4For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’" 6And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
9He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt:
10"Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
12I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’
13But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’
14I tell you, this man 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."
15Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
16But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.
17Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it."
18And a ruler asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
19And Jesus 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.’"
