1 He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray and not give up,
2 saying,
3 A widow was in that city, and she often came to him, saying, ‘Defend me from my adversary!’
4 He wouldn’t for a while; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man,
5 yet because this widow bothers me, I will defend her, or else she will wear me out by her continual coming.’"
6 The Lord said,
7 Won’t God avenge his chosen ones who are crying out to him day and night, and yet he exercises patience with them?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them quickly. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"
9 He also spoke this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others:
10 "Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed by himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of men: extortionists, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
12 I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.’
13 But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."
15 They were also bringing their babies to him, that he might touch them. But when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
16 Jesus summoned them, saying,
17 Most certainly, I tell you, whoever doesn’t receive God’s Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it."
18 A certain ruler asked him, saying, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"
19 Jesus asked him,
20 You know the commandments: ‘Don’t commit adultery,’ ‘Don’t murder,’ ‘Don’t steal,’ ‘Don’t give false testimony,’ ‘Honour your father and your mother.’"
21 He said, "I have observed all these things from my youth up."
22 When Jesus heard these things, he said to him,
23 But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was very rich.
24 Jesus, seeing that he became very sad, said,
25 For it is easier for a camel to enter in through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom."
26 Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?"
27 But he said,
28 Peter said, "Look, we have left everything and followed you."
29 He said to them,
30 who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the world to come, eternal life."
31 He took the twelve aside and said to them,
32 For he will be delivered up to the Gentiles, will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit on.
33 They will scourge and kill him. On the third day, he will rise again."
34 They understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they didn’t understand the things that were said.
35 As he came near Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the road, begging.
36 Hearing a multitude going by, he asked what this meant.
37 They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.
38 He cried out, "Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!"
39 Those who led the way rebuked him, that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "You son of David, have mercy on me!"
40 Standing still, Jesus commanded him to be brought to him. When he had come near, he asked him,
41 "What do you want me to do?"
42 Jesus said to him,
43 Immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God. All the people, when they saw it, praised God.