{"meta":{"source":"Prime Bible","sourceUrl":"https://primebible.com","license":"Public domain (translation text); see citation policy at /citation-policy","organization":"501(c)(3) nonprofit — EIN 41-2531951","canonicalUrl":"https://primebible.com/wnt/luke/18","llmTxt":"https://primebible.com/llms.txt","generatedAt":"2026-05-27T00:35:17.839Z"},"reference":{"translation":"WNT","book":"Luke","bookSlug":"luke","chapter":18,"testament":"NEW"},"navigation":{"previousChapter":17,"nextChapter":19,"totalChapters":24,"totalVerses":43},"verses":[{"verseNumber":1,"text":"He also taught them by a parable that they must always pray and never lose heart."},{"verseNumber":2,"text":"|In a certain town,| He said, |there was a judge who had no fear of God and no respect for man."},{"verseNumber":3,"text":"And in the same town was a widow who repeatedly came and entreated him, saying, |'Give me justice and stop my oppressor.'"},{"verseNumber":4,"text":"|For a time he would not, but afterwards he said to himself, |'Though I have neither reverence for God nor respect for man,"},{"verseNumber":5,"text":"yet because she annoys me I will give her justice, to prevent her from  constantly coming to pester me.'|"},{"verseNumber":6,"text":"And the Lord said, |Hear those words of the unjust judge."},{"verseNumber":7,"text":"And will not God avenge the wrongs of His own People who cry aloud to Him day and night, although He seems slow in taking action on their behalf?"},{"verseNumber":8,"text":"Yes, He will soon avenge their wrongs. Yet, when the Son of Man  comes, will He find  faith on earth?|"},{"verseNumber":9,"text":"And to some who relied on themselves as being righteous men, and looked down upon all others, He addressed this parable."},{"verseNumber":10,"text":"|Two men went up to the Temple to pray,| He said; |one being a Pharisee and the other a tax-gatherer."},{"verseNumber":11,"text":"The Pharisee, standing erect, prayed as follows  by himself: |'O God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people--I am not a thief nor a cheat nor an adulterer, nor do I even resemble this tax-gatherer."},{"verseNumber":12,"text":"I fast twice a week. I pay the tithe on all my gains.'"},{"verseNumber":13,"text":"|But the tax-gatherer, standing far back, would not so much as lift his eyes to Heaven, but kept beating his breast and saying, |'O God,  be reconciled to me, sinner that I am.'"},{"verseNumber":14,"text":"|I tell you that this man went home more thoroughly absolved from guilt than the other; for every one who uplifts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be uplifted.|"},{"verseNumber":15,"text":"On one occasion  people also brought with them their infants, for Him to touch them; but the disciples, noticing this, proceeded to find fault with them."},{"verseNumber":16,"text":"Jesus however called the infants to Him. |Let the little children come to me,| He said; |do not hinder them; for it is to those who are childlike that the Kingdom of God belongs."},{"verseNumber":17,"text":"I tell you in solemn truth that, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will certainly not enter it.|"},{"verseNumber":18,"text":"The question was put to Him by a Ruler: |Good Rabbi, what shall I do to inherit the Life of the Ages?|"},{"verseNumber":19,"text":"|Why do you call me good?| replied Jesus; |there is no one good but One, namely God."},{"verseNumber":20,"text":"You know the Commandments: 'Do not commit adultery;' 'Do not murder;' 'Do not steal;' 'Do not lie in giving evidence;' 'Honour thy father and thy mother.'|"},{"verseNumber":21,"text":"|All of those,| he replied, |I have kept from my youth.|"},{"verseNumber":22,"text":"On receiving this answer Jesus said to him, |There is still one thing wanting in you. Sell everything you possess and give the money to the poor, and you shall have wealth in Heaven; and then come, follow me.|"},{"verseNumber":23,"text":"But on hearing these words he was deeply sorrowful, for he was exceedingly rich."},{"verseNumber":24,"text":"Jesus saw his sorrow, and said, |With how hard a struggle do the possessors of riches ever enter the Kingdom of God!"},{"verseNumber":25,"text":"Why, it is easier for a camel to go through a  needle's eye than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.|"},{"verseNumber":26,"text":"|Who then can be saved?| exclaimed the hearers."},{"verseNumber":27,"text":"|Things impossible with man,| He replied, |are possible with God.|"},{"verseNumber":28,"text":"Then Peter said, |See, we have given up our  homes and have followed you.|"},{"verseNumber":29,"text":"|I solemnly tell you,| replied Jesus, |that there is no one who has left house or wife, or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of God's Kingdom,"},{"verseNumber":30,"text":"who shall not certainly receive many times as much  in this life, and in the age that is coming the Life of the Ages.|"},{"verseNumber":31,"text":"Then He drew the Twelve to Him and said, |See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything written in the Prophets which refers to the Son of Man will be fulfilled."},{"verseNumber":32,"text":"For He will be given up to the Gentiles, and be mocked, outraged and spit upon."},{"verseNumber":33,"text":"They will scourge Him and put Him to death, and on the third day He will rise to life again.|"},{"verseNumber":34,"text":"Nothing of this did they understand. The words were a mystery to them, nor could they see what He meant."},{"verseNumber":35,"text":"As Jesus came near to Jericho, there was a blind man sitting by the way-side begging."},{"verseNumber":36,"text":"He heard a crowd of people going past, and inquired what it all meant."},{"verseNumber":37,"text":"|Jesus the Nazarene is passing by,| they told him."},{"verseNumber":38,"text":"Then, at the top of his voice, he cried out, |Jesus, son of David, take pity on me.|"},{"verseNumber":39,"text":"Those in front reproved him and tried to silence him; but he continued shouting, louder than ever, |Son of David, take pity on me.|"},{"verseNumber":40,"text":"At length Jesus stopped and desired them to bring the man to Him; and when he had come close to Him He asked him,"},{"verseNumber":41,"text":"|What shall I do for you?| |Sir,| he replied, |let me recover my sight.|"},{"verseNumber":42,"text":"|Recover your sight,| said Jesus: |your faith has cured you.|"},{"verseNumber":43,"text":"No sooner were the words spoken than the man regained his sight and followed Jesus, giving glory to God; and all the people, seeing it, gave praise to God."}],"citation":{"inline":"Luke 18 (WNT)","markdown":"[Luke 18](https://primebible.com/wnt/luke/18)","sbl":"Prime Bible. *The Bible.* WNT. https://primebible.com/wnt/luke/18 (accessed 2026-05-27)."}}