1And he told them a parable to show that they must always pray and not be discouraged, 2saying, “There was a certain judge in a certain town who did not fear God and did not respect people. 3And there was a widow in that town, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary!’ 4And he was not willing for a time, but after these things he said to himself, ‘Even if I do not fear God or respect people, 5yet because this widow is causing trouble for me, I will grant her justice, so that she does not wear me down in the end by her coming back!’ ” 6And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge is saying! 7And will not God surely ˻see to it that justice is done˼ to his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night, and will he delay toward them? 8I tell you that ˻he will see to it that justice is done˼ for them soon! Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, then will he find faith on earth?” 9And he also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and looked down on ˻everyone else˼: 10“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood and prayed these things with reference to himself: ‘God, I give thanks to you that I am not like other people—swindlers, unrighteous people, adulterers, or even like this tax collector! 12I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all that I get.’ 13But the tax collector, standing far away, did not want even to raise his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than that one! For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” 15Now they were bringing even their babies to him so that he could touch them. But when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16But Jesus called them to himself, saying, “Allow the children to come to me, and do not forbid them, ˻for to such belongs˼ the kingdom of God. 17Truly I say to you, whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God like a young child will never enter into it.” 18And a certain ruler asked him, saying, “Good Teacher, by doing what will I inherit eternal life?” 19And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 20You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’ ” 21And he said, “All these I have observed from my youth.” 22And when he heard this, Jesus said to him, “˻You still lack one thing˼: Sell all that you have, and distribute the proceeds to the poor—and you will have treasure in heaven—and come, follow me.” 23But when he heard these things he became very sad, because he was extremely wealthy. 24And when Jesus saw him becoming very sad, he said, “How ˻difficult it is for˼ those who possess wealth to enter into the kingdom of God! 25For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter into the kingdom of God. 26So those who heard this said, “And who can be saved?” 27But he said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” 28And Peter said, “Behold, we have left ˻all that is ours˼and followed you.” 29And he said to them, “Truly I say to you that there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children on account of the kingdom of God, 30who will not receive many times more in this time and in the age to come, eternal life.” 31And taking aside the twelve, he said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all the things that are written by the prophets with reference to the Son of Man will be accomplished. 32For he will be handed over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and mistreated and spit on, 33and after flogging him they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” 34And they understood none of these things, and this saying was concealed from them, and they did not comprehend the things that were said. 35Now it happened that as he drew near to Jericho, a certain blind man was sitting on the side of the road begging. 36And when he heard a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. 37And they told him, “Jesus the Nazarene is passing by.” 38And he called out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39And those who were in front rebuked him, that he should be silent, but he cried out ˻even more loudly˼, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40So Jesus stopped and ordered him to be brought to him. And when he approached, he asked him, 41“What do you want me to do for you?” And he said, “Lord, that I may regain my sight. 42And Jesus said to him, “Regain your sight! Your faith has saved you.” 43And immediately he regained his sight and began to follow him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.