1 Now He told them the following story to show how necessary it is for people always to pray and never to give up: 2 "Once there was in a city a judge who had no reverence for God nor respect for men. 3 And in that city there was a widow who continued to come to him and say, 'Give me justice and protection from my opponent.'
4 And he would not for a time, but afterward he said to himself, Though I have no reverence for God nor respect for men, 5 yet because this widow continues to bother me, I will give her justice and protection, so that she may not finally wear me out by her continual coming."
6 Then the Lord added, "Listen to what the unrighteous judge says! 7 And will not God give justice and protection to His chosen people who continue to cry to Him day and night, since He is so patient with them? 8 I tell you, He will give them justice and protection, and that without delay. But when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?"
9 To some people who were confident that they themselves were upright, but who scorned everybody else, He told the following story: 10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax-collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and said this self-centered prayer, 'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of men, robbers, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. 12 I fast two days in the week. I pay a tithe on everything I get.'
13 But the tax-collector stood at a distance and would not even lift his eyes to heaven, but continued to beat his breast, and say, 'O God, have mercy on me, a sinner!' 14 I tell you, this man, and not the other, went back home forgiven and accepted by God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
15 Now some people were bringing even their babies to Him to have Him touch them, but the disciples, when they saw it, reproved them for it. 16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and stop preventing them from it, for to such as these the kingdom of God belongs. 17 I solemnly say to you, Whoever does not accept the kingdom of God as a little child does, will never get into it at all."
18 Then a certain member of the council asked Him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to get possession of eternal life?"
19 Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me perfectly good? No one is perfectly good but God Himself. 20 You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery. Do not murder. Do not steal. Do not bear false witness. Practice honoring your father and mother.'"
21 But he said, "I have kept all these commandments ever since I was a child."
22 When Jesus heard this, He said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell everything you have, and distribute the money among the poor, and you will have riches in heaven; then come back and follow me."
23 But when he heard that, he was very sad, for he was surpassingly rich.
24 So when Jesus saw it, He said, "How hard it is for those who have money to get into the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich man to get into the kingdom of God."
26 But those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?"
27 So He said, "The things impossible for men are possible for God."
28 Then Peter said to Him, "We have left our very own, homes and all, and have followed you."
29 So He said to them, "I solemnly say to you, there is no one who has given up home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive in return many times more in this world, and in the next eternal life."
31 Now He took the Twelve aside and said to them, "Listen! We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. 32 For He will be turned over to the heathen and sport made of Him, He will be insulted and spit upon, 33 and then they will flog Him and kill Him, but on the third day He will rise again."
34 But they did not understand about these things, and this statement was an insoluble riddle to them; they did not even begin to grasp what He meant.
35 As He was approaching Jericho, a blind man chanced to be sitting by the roadside begging. 36 As he heard a crowd going by, he asked what it meant. 37 They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was coming by.
38 Then he cried out, "Jesus, you Son of David, do pity me!" 39 But those who were marching in front reproved him and told him to keep quiet, but he cried out all the louder, "O Son of David, do pity me!"
40 Then Jesus stopped and ordered him to be brought to Him. And when he approached Jesus, He said to him, 41 "What do you want me to do for you?" He answered, "Lord, I want to see again!"
42 Then Jesus said to him, "See again! Your faith has cured you." 43 So at once he saw again, and began to follow Him, giving thanks to God. And all the people saw it and gave praise to God.