1 A nd he spoke also a parable to them to the purport that they should always pray and not faint,

Jesus told them a picture-story to show that men should always pray and not give up.

2 s aying, There was a judge in a city, not fearing God and not respecting man:

He said, “There was a man in one of the cities who was head of the court. His work was to say if a person was guilty or not. This man was not afraid of God. He did not respect any man.

3 a nd there was a widow in that city, and she came to him, saying, Avenge me of mine adverse party.

In that city there was a woman whose husband had died. She kept coming to him and saying, ‘Help me! There is someone who is working against me.’

4 A nd he would not for a time; but afterwards he said within himself, If even I fear not God and respect not man,

For awhile he would not help her. Then he began to think, ‘I am not afraid of God and I do not respect any man.

5 a t any rate because this widow annoys me I will avenge her, that she may not by perpetually coming completely harass me.

But I will see that this woman whose husband has died gets her rights because I get tired of her coming all the time.’”

6 A nd the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge says.

Then the Lord said, “Listen to the words of the sinful man who is head of the court.

7 A nd shall not God at all avenge his elect, who cry to him day and night, and he bears long as to them?

Will not God make the things that are right come to His chosen people who cry day and night to Him? Will He wait a long time to help them?

8 I say unto you that he will avenge them speedily. But when the Son of man comes, shall he indeed find faith on the earth?

I tell you, He will be quick to help them. But when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth? ” The Picture-Story of the Proud Religious Law-Keepers and the Tax-Gatherers

9 A nd he spoke also to some, who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and made nothing of all the rest, this parable:

Jesus told another picture-story to some people who trusted in themselves and thought they were right with God. These people did not think well of other men.

10 T wo men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a tax-gatherer.

Jesus said, “Two men went up to the house of God to pray. One of them was a proud religious law-keeper. The other was a man who gathered taxes.

11 T he Pharisee, standing, prayed thus to himself: God, I thank thee that I am not as the rest of men, rapacious, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax-gatherer.

The proud religious law-keeper stood and prayed to himself like this, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men. I am not like those who steal. I am not like those who do things that are wrong. I am not like those who do sex sins. I am not even like this tax-gatherer.

12 I fast twice in the week, I tithe everything I gain.

I go without food two times a week so I can pray better. I give one-tenth part of the money I earn.’

13 A nd the tax-gatherer, standing afar off, would not lift up even his eyes to heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, O God, have compassion on me, the sinner.

But the man who gathered taxes stood a long way off. He would not even lift his eyes to heaven. But he hit himself on his chest and said, ‘God, have pity on me! I am a sinner!’

14 I say unto you, This went down to his house justified rather than that. For every one who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.

I tell you, this man went back to his house forgiven, and not the other man. For whoever makes himself look more important than he is will find out how little he is worth. Whoever does not try to honor himself will be made important.” Jesus Gives Thanks for Little Children

15 A nd they brought to him also infants that he might touch them, but the disciples when they saw rebuked them.

People took their little children to Jesus so He could put His hand on them. When His followers saw it, they spoke sharp words to the people.

16 B ut Jesus calling them to said, Suffer little children to come to me, and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of God.

Jesus called the followers to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me. Do not try to stop them. The holy nation of God is made up of ones like these.

17 V erily I say to you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

For sure, I tell you, whoever does not receive the holy nation of God as a child will not go into the holy nation.” Jesus Teaches about Keeping the Law

18 A nd a certain ruler asked him saying, Good teacher, having done what, shall I inherit eternal life?

A leader of the people asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what must I do to have life that lasts forever?”

19 B ut Jesus said to him, Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, God.

Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? There is only One Who is good. That is God.

20 T hou knowest the commandments: Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.

You know the Laws. You must not do any sex sins. You must not kill another person. You must not steal. You must not tell a lie about someone else. Respect your father and your mother.”

21 A nd he said, All these things have I kept from my youth.

The leader said, “I have obeyed all these Laws since I was a boy.”

22 A nd when Jesus had heard this, he said to him, One thing is lacking to thee yet: Sell all that thou hast and distribute to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in the heavens, and come, follow me.

When Jesus heard this, He said to the leader of the people, “There is still one thing you need to do. Sell everything you have. Give the money to poor people. Then you will have riches in heaven. Come and follow Me.”

23 B ut when he heard this he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.

When the leader heard this, he was very sad because he had many riches.

24 B ut when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, he said, How difficultly shall those who have riches enter into the kingdom of God;

When Jesus saw that he was very sad, He said, “It is hard for those with riches to go into the holy nation of God!

25 f or it is easier for a camel to enter through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to go into the holy nation of God.”

26 A nd those who heard it said, And who can be saved?

Those who heard this, said, “Then who can be saved from the punishment of sin?”

27 B ut he said, The things that are impossible with men are possible with God.

Jesus said, “God can do things men cannot do.”

28 A nd Peter said, Behold, we have left all things and have followed thee.

Then Peter said, “See, we have left everything and have followed You.”

29 A nd he said to them, Verily I say to you, There is no one who has left home, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,

Jesus said to them, “For sure, I tell you, anyone who has left his house or parents or brothers or wife or children because of the holy nation of God

30 w ho shall not receive manifold more at this time, and in the coming age life eternal.

will receive much more now. In the time to come he will have life that lasts forever.” Jesus Tells of His Death the Third Time

31 A nd he took the twelve to and said to them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written of the Son of man by the prophets shall be accomplished;

Then Jesus took the twelve followers to one side and said, “See! We are going up to Jerusalem. All the things the early preachers wrote about the Son of Man are going to happen.

32 f or he shall be delivered up to the nations, and shall be mocked, and insulted, and spit upon.

He will be given over to the people who are not Jews. He will be made fun of. He will be hurt. He will be spit on.

33 A nd when they have scourged they will kill him; and on the third day he will rise again.

They will beat Him and kill Him. After three days He will be raised again.”

34 A nd they understood nothing of these things. And this word was hidden from them, and they did not know what was said.

The followers did not understand these words. The meaning of these words was hidden from them. They did not know what He said. Healing of the Blind Man

35 A nd it came to pass when he came into the neighbourhood of Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the wayside begging.

Jesus was coming near Jericho. A blind man was sitting by the side of the road, begging.

36 A nd when he heard the crowd passing, he inquired what this might be.

He heard many people going by and asked what was happening.

37 A nd they told him that Jesus the Nazaraean was passing by.

They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was going by.

38 A nd he called out saying, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.

Then he cried out and said, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.”

39 A nd those going before rebuked him that he might be silent; but he cried out so much the more, Son of David, have mercy on me.

The people spoke sharp words to him and told him not to call out. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.”

40 A nd Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be led to him. And when he drew nigh he asked him,

Jesus stopped and told the people to bring the blind man to Him. When the man was near, Jesus asked,

41 W hat wilt thou that I shall do to thee? And he said, Lord, that I may see.

“What do you want Me to do for you?” He answered, “Lord, I want to see.”

42 A nd Jesus said to him, See: thy faith has healed thee.

Jesus said to him, “Then see! Your faith has healed you.”

43 A nd immediately he saw, and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people when they saw gave praise to God.

At once he could see. He followed Jesus and gave thanks to God. All the people gave thanks to God when they saw it.