Luke 18:1-18

1Jesus used this illustration with his disciples to show them that they need to pray all the time and never give up.

2He said, “In a city there was a judge who didn’t fear God or respect people.

3In that city there was also a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice.’

4“For a while the judge refused to do anything. But then he thought, ‘This widow really annoys me. Although I don’t fear God or respect people,

5I’ll have to give her justice. Otherwise, she’ll keep coming to me until she wears me out.’ ”

6The Lord added, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge thought.

7Won’t God give his chosen people justice when they cry out to him for help day and night? Is he slow to help them?

8I can guarantee that he will give them justice quickly. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

9Jesus also used this illustration with some who were sure that God approved of them while they looked down on everyone else.

10He said, “Two men went into the temple courtyard to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector.

11The Pharisee stood up and prayed, ‘God, I thank you that I’m not like other people! I’m not a robber or a dishonest person. I haven’t committed adultery. I’m not even like this tax collector.

12I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my entire income.’

13“But the tax collector was standing at a distance. He wouldn’t even look up to heaven. Instead, he became very upset, and he said, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’

14“I can guarantee that this tax collector went home with God’s approval, but the Pharisee didn’t. Everyone who honors himself will be humbled, but the person who humbles himself will be honored.”

15Some people brought infants to Jesus to have him hold them. When the disciples saw this, they told the people not to do that.

16But Jesus called the infants to him and said, “Don’t stop the children from coming to me! Children like these are part of God’s kingdom.

17I can guarantee this truth: Whoever doesn’t receive God’s kingdom as a little child receives it will never enter it.”

18An official asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”