Luke 18 (NKJV)
The Parable of the Persistent Widow
1Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,
2saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man.
3Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’
4And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man,
5yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ”
6Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said.
7And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?
8I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
9Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.
12I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’
13And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise 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, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Jesus Blesses Little Children
15Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
16But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.
17Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
Jesus Counsels the Rich Young Ruler
18Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
19So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.
20You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ”
21And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.”
22So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
23But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.
With God All Things Are Possible
24And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!
25For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
26And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?”
27But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”
28Then Peter said, “See, we have left all and followed You.”
29So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God,
30who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.”
Jesus a Third Time Predicts His Death and Resurrection
31Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished.
32For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon.
33They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”
34But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken.
A Blind Man Receives His Sight
35Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging.
36And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant.
37So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.
38And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
39Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
40So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he had come near, He asked him,
41saying, “What do you want Me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.”
42Then Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.”
43And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
