1 He told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not give up.
2 He said, "In a certain town there was a judge who had no fear of God and no regard for people.
3 There was a widow in that town who kept coming to him and saying, 'Grant me justice against my opponent.'
4 For some time he refused; but later he said to himself, 'Even though I have no fear of God and no regard for people,
5 because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she does not wear me out by coming again and again.'"
6 And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says.
7 Will not God, then, secure justice for his chosen ones, who cry to him day and night, even if he is patient with them?
8 I tell you, he will secure justice for them quickly. But when the Son of Man comes, will he really find faith on the earth?"
9 To some who were confident in themselves that they were righteous and who looked down on everyone else, he told this parable as well:
10 "Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee took his stand and prayed these things to himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, wrongdoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.
12 I fast two times each week; I give a tenth of everything I acquire.'
13 But the tax collector stood far off and would not even raise his eyes to heaven; instead he beat his breast and said, 'God, show mercy to me, the sinner!'
14 I tell you, this man, rather than the other, went down to his home justified. For everyone who lifts himself up will be brought low, and the one who brings himself low will be lifted up."
15 People were bringing even their babies to him so that he would touch them; but when the disciples saw this, they began to rebuke them.
16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Allow the little children to come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
17 Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child does will never get into it."
18 A certain ruler asked him, "Good Teacher, by doing what will I inherit eternal life?"
19 Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but One: God.
20 You know the commandments: 'You shall not commit adultery; you shall not murder; you shall not steal; you shall not give false testimony; honor your father and your mother.'"
21 He said, "I have kept all of these since I was young."
22 On hearing this, Jesus said to him, "There is still one thing you lack. Sell everything you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."
23 But when he heard these words, he became deeply grieved, because he was extremely rich.
24 Seeing him so deeply grieved, Jesus said, "How difficult it is for those who have wealth to get into the kingdom of God!
25 It is easier for a camel to go in through a needle's eye than for a rich man to get into the kingdom of God."
26 Those listening said, "Then who is able to be saved?"
27 He said, "What is impossible for men is possible for God."
28 Peter said, "Look, we have left everything behind and followed you."
29 He told them, "Truly I say to you, no one has left home, or parents, or brothers, or wife, or children because of the kingdom of God
30 who will not receive back many times as much in this present time, and in the age that is coming, eternal life."
31 Taking the twelve aside, he told them, "Listen, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that has been written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be carried out.
32 He will be handed over to the Gentiles; he will be mocked, mistreated, and spat on;
33 they will flog him and put him to death, and on the third day he will rise."
34 Yet they understood none of this. The meaning of these words was concealed from them, and they did not grasp what was said.
35 As he came near Jericho, a blind man was sitting beside the road begging.
36 Hearing a crowd going by, he asked what was happening.
37 They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is going by."
38 So he shouted, "Jesus, Son of David, take pity on me!"
39 Those walking in front sternly told him to be quiet, but he shouted even louder, "Son of David, take pity on me!"
40 Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him,
41 "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me see again."
42 Jesus said to him, "See again; your faith has made you well."
43 At once he could see, and he began following him, glorifying God. And all the people, seeing it, gave praise to God.