1HE gave them an illustration that they ought always to pray and not to lose courage. 2He said, "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God or regard man. 3And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Give me justice against my adversary.' 4For a time he would not. Later he said to himself, 'Even though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5yet because this widow is annoying me I will do her justice so that she may not keep coming and mauling me forever.' 6The Master said, "Hear what the wicked judge says; 7and will not God do justice for his elect, who are calling to him day and night, even though he is long-suffering with their adversaries? 8I tell you, he will do justice for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" 9He gave also this illustration to some who trusted in themselves as being righteous and despised others: 10"Two men went up to the Temple courts to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank thee that I am not like the rest of men, extortioners, cheats, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all I get.' 13But the tax collector stood far off and would not even lift his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God be merciful to me, the sinner!' 14I tell you this man went down to his house justified rather than the other. For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." 15They were bringing to him babes for him to touch. The disciples on seeing this rebuked them. 16But Jesus called the children to him, saying, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 17Truly, I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will not enter it." 18One of the rulers asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit life eternal?" 19Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except one \'97 God. 20You know the commandments: Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not commit murder, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honor thy father and thy mother." 21He said, "All these I have kept from my boyhood up." 22On hearing that, Jesus said to him, "You lack still one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven, and then come and follow me." 23But he, on hearing this, became deeply sorrowful, for he was very rich. 24Jesus looked at him and said, "With how much difficulty do those who have riches enter the kingdom of God! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God!" 26Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" 27He said, "The things that are impossible with men are possible with God." 28Peter said, "See, we have left our property and have followed you." 29He said to them, "I tell you truly there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30who will not receive many times more in this world, and in the world to come life eternal." 31Taking the twelve aside, he said to them, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and all the things written through the prophets will be fully done to the Son of Man. 32For he will be handed over to the Gentiles and he will be made sport of and insulted and spit upon, 33and they will scourge him and kill him, and on the third day he will rise." 34But they understood none of these things, and what he said was hidden from them. They did not grasp the meaning of his words. 35As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36Hearing a crowd passing, he inquired what this was. 37They told him, "Jesus, the Nazarene, is passing by." 38Then he shouted, "Jesus, son of David, have pity on me!" 39Those who were in front rebuked him and told him to be still. But he kept crying out much louder, "Son of David, have pity on me!" 40Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be led to him. When he had come up, Jesus asked him, 41"What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Sir, I want my sight." 42Jesus said to him, "See. Your faith has healed you." 43Immediately he received sight and followed him, giving glory to God. All the people upon seeing this gave praise to God.