Luke 18:1-18

1Then Jesus told his disciples a story. He wanted to teach them that they must go on praying always. They must not get tired.

2He said to them, ‘In a certain city, there was a judge. He was not afraid of God. He did not respect people.

3A woman lived in that same city. Her husband had died. She came to the judge many times with a problem. “Somebody is doing bad things against me. Please keep me safe from that person,” she was saying.

4For a long time, the judge would not do anything to help her. Later, he thought, “I am not afraid of God. Nor do I respect people.

5But this woman causes me trouble. If I do not do anything for her, she will continue to come to me again and again. She will make me ill. So I will help her to be safe. I will say that she is right.” ’

6Jesus then said, ‘This judge was not a good man. But you should think about what he said. He helped the woman because she caused him trouble.

7But as for God, he always helps those that he has chosen to be his children. When they continue to ask him for help, in the day and in the night, he will answer them. He will not wait.

8I tell you this. He will show that they are right. He will help them quickly. I, the Son of Man, will return to earth. But will I find many people that still believe in me then, or not?’

9Jesus told a story to teach other people. These people thought that they were very good in front of God. They thought that they were much better than other people.

10Jesus said, ‘One day, two men went into the temple to pray. One man was a Pharisee. The other man took taxes from people.

11The Pharisee stood there by himself. He prayed like this: “Thank you, God, that I am different from all these other people. They are bad people. They rob other people. They have sex with women who are not their wife. Thank you, God, that I am not like this man who takes taxes on behalf of the government.

12I fast for two days of each week. I give to you one tenth of all the things and money that I receive.”

13But the other man stood far away. He would not even look up towards heaven. He was hitting his body with his hands to show how sorry he was. He prayed like this: “Please, God, be kind to me. I have done many bad things.” ’

14Jesus then said, ‘Let me tell you about these men when they went home. The man that took taxes from people was now right with God. But the Pharisee was still guilty. Some people lift themselves up to be important. But God will bring all of them down low. Other people are humble. God will lift up those people to a good place.’

15People were also bringing babies to Jesus. They wanted him to put his hands on each child's head. But Jesus' disciples did not like this. They told the people that they should not do it.

16Then Jesus told the children to come to him. He said to his disciples, ‘Let the children come to me. Do not try to stop them. People must become like these children so that God can rule their lives. That is what the kingdom of God is like.

17I tell you this: A person must become like a little child for God to rule in his life. If he does not become like a child, he will not come into the kingdom of God.’

18A Jewish ruler came to Jesus and asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do so that I can live with God for ever?’