The Parable of the Persistent Widow
1 He then told them a parable on the need for them to prayalways and not become discouraged:
2 “There was a judge in a certain town who didn’t fear Godor respect man.
3 And a widowin that town kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’
4 “For a while he was unwilling, but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or respect man,
5 yet because this widow keepspestering me,I will give her justice, so she doesn’t wear me outby her persistent coming.’ ”
6 Then the Lord said,“Listen to what the unjust judge says.
7 Will not God grant justiceto His electwho cry out to Him day and night?Will He delayto help them?
8 I tell you that He will swiftly grant them justice. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes,will He find that faithon earth? ”
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
9 Healso told this parable to some who trusted in themselvesthat they were righteousand looked downon everyone else:
10 “Two men went up to the temple complex to pray,one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee took his standand was praying like this: ‘God, I thank You that I’m not like other people— greedy,unrighteous,adulterers,or even like this tax collector.
12 I fasttwice a week; I give a tenthof everything I get.’
13 “But the tax collector, standing far off,would not even raise his eyes to heavenbut kept striking his chestand saying, ‘God, turn Your wrath from me— a sinner! ’
14 I tell you, this one went down to his house justifiedrather than the other; because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Blessing the Children
15 Somepeople were even bringing infants to Him so He might touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
16 Jesus, however, invited them:“Let the little children come to Me,and don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
17 I assure you:Whoever does not welcomethe kingdom of God like a little childwill never enter it.”
The Rich Young Ruler
18 Arulerasked Him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? ”
19 “Why do you call Me good? ”Jesus asked him.“No one is good but One — God.
20 You know the commandments:
Do not commit adultery;
do not murder;
do not steal;
do not bear false witness;
honor your father and mother.”
21 “I have kept all these from my youth,” he said.
22 When Jesus heard this, He told him,“You still lack one thing: Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor,and you will have treasure in heaven.Then come, follow Me.”
23 After he heard this, he became extremely sad,because he was very rich.
Possessions and the Kingdom
24 Seeing that he became sad,Jesus said,“How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!
25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 Those who heard this asked, “Then who can be saved? ”
27 He replied,“What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
28 Then Peter said, “Look, we have left what we had and followedYou.”
29 So He said to them,“I assure you: There is no one who has left a house, wife or brothers, parents or children because of the kingdom of God,
30 who will not receive many times more at this time,and eternal life in the age to come.”
The Third Prediction of His Death
31 ThenHe took the Twelve aside and told them,“Listen! We are going up to Jerusalem.Everything that is writtenthrough the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished.
32 For He will be handed over to the Gentiles,and He will be mocked,insulted, spiton;
33 and after they flog Him, they will kill Him, and He will rise on the third day.”
34 They understood none of these things.This sayingwas hiddenfrom them, and they did not grasp what was said.
A Blind Man Receives His Sight
35 AsHe drew near Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging.
36 Hearing a crowd passing by, he inquired what this meant.
37 “Jesus the Nazareneis passing by,” they told him.
38 So he called out,“Jesus, Son of David,have mercyon me! ”
39 Then those in front told him to keep quiet,but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me! ”
40 Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him. When he drew near, He asked him,
41 “What do you want Me to do for you? ”
“Lord,” he said, “I want to see! ”
42 “Receive your sight! ”Jesus told him.“Your faith has healed you.”
43 Instantly he could see, and he began to follow Him, glorifying God.All the people,when they saw it, gave praise to God.
—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/LUK/18-f3021c040ed980faa627578ef2349393.mp3?version_id=72—