Luke 18:1-18

1Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they 1ought to pray and not 2become discouraged, 2saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not 3respect any person. 3Now there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my 4opponent.’ 4For a while he was unwilling; but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor 5respect any person, 5yet 6because this widow is bothering me, I will give her justice; otherwise 7by continually coming she will 8wear me out.’” 6And 9the Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge said; 7now, will God not 10bring about justice for His 11elect who cry out to Him day 12and night, and will He 13delay long for them? 8I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, 14will He find 15faith on the earth?”

9Now He also told this parable to some people who 16trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and 17viewed others with contempt: 10“Two men 18went up into the 19temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee 20stood and began praying this in regard to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, crooked, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12I 21fast twice a week; I 22pay tithes of all that I get.’ 13But the tax collector, 23standing some distance away, 24was even unwilling to raise his eyes toward heaven, but 25was beating his chest, saying, ‘God, be 26merciful to me, the sinner!’ 14I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other one; 27for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

1528Now they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them. 16But Jesus called for 29the little ones, saying, “Allow the children to come to Me, and do not 30forbid them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17Truly I say to you, 31whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”

1832A ruler questioned Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”