The Gospel According to St. Luke

⭑ Unlocked Literal Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 18 -

Then he spoke a parable to them about how they should always pray, and not become discouraged,

saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and he did not respect people.

Now there was a widow in that city, and she came often to him, saying, ‘Help me get justice against my opponent.’

For a long time he was not willing to help her, but after a while he said to himself, ’Though I do not fear God or respect man,

yet because this widow causes me trouble, I will help her get justice, so that she does not wear me out by her constant coming.’”

Then the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says.

Now will not God also bring justice to his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?

I say to you that he will bring justice to them speedily. Even so, when the Son of Man comes, will he indeed find faith on the earth?”

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Then he also spoke this parable to some who were persuaded in themselves that they were righteous and who despised other people,

“Two men went up into the temple to pray-the one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.

The Pharisee stood and prayed these things about himself, ’God, I thank you that I am not like other people-robbers, unrighteous people, adulterers-or even like this tax collector.

I fast two times every week. I give tithes of all that I get.’

But the tax collector, standing at a distance, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but hit his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner.’

I say to you, this man went back down to his house justified rather than the other, because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but everyone who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Jesus Blesses the Children

(Matthew 19:13–15; Mark 10:13–16)

The people were also bringing to him their infants, so that he might touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Permit the little children to come to me, and do not forbid them. For the kingdom of God belongs to such ones.

Truly I say to you, whoever will not receive the kingdom of God like a child will definitely not enter it.”

The Rich Young Ruler

(Matthew 19:16–30; Mark 10:17–31)

A certain ruler asked him, saying, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good, except God alone.

You know the commandments-do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not testify falsely, honor your father and mother.”

The ruler said, “All these things I have obeyed from the time I was a youth.”

When Jesus heard that, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. You must sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven-and come, follow me.”

But when the ruler heard these things, he became extremely sad, for he was very rich.

Then Jesus, seeing him, became very sad and said, “How difficult it is for those who are rich to enter the kingdom of God!

For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

Those hearing it said, “Then who can be saved?”

Jesus answered, “The things which are impossible with people are possible with God.”

Peter said, “Well, we have left everything that is our own and have followed you.”

Jesus then 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, for the sake of the kingdom of God,

who will not receive much more in this world, and in the world to come, eternal life.”

The Third Prediction of the Passion

(Matthew 20:17–19; Mark 10:32–34)

After he gathered the twelve to himself, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all the things that have been written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished.

For he will be given over to the Gentiles, and will be mocked, and shamefully treated, and spit upon.

After whipping him, they will kill him and on the third day he will rise again.”

They understood none of these things, and this word was hidden from them, and they did not understand the things that were said.

Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar

(Matthew 20:29–34; Mark 10:46–52)

It came about that, as Jesus approached Jericho, a certain blind man was sitting by the road begging,

and hearing a crowd going by, he asked what was happening.

They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.

So the blind man cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

The ones who were walking ahead rebuked the blind man, telling him to be quiet. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Jesus stood still and commanded that the man be brought to him. Then when the blind man was near, Jesus asked him,

“What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, I want to receive my sight.”

Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you.”

Immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw this, gave praise to God.

He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray and not give up,

saying, “There was a judge in a certain city who didn’t fear God and didn’t respect man.

A widow was in that city, and she often came to him, saying, ‘Defend me from my adversary!’

He wouldn’t for a while; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man,

yet because this widow bothers me, I will defend her, or else she will wear me out by her continual coming.’”

The Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge says.

Won’t God avenge his chosen ones who are crying out to him day and night, and yet he exercises patience with them?

I tell you that he will avenge them quickly. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

He also spoke this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others:

“Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector.

The Pharisee stood and prayed by himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of men: extortionists, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.’

But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Jesus Blesses the Children

(Matthew 19:13–15; Mark 10:13–16)

They were also bringing their babies to him, that he might touch them. But when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

Jesus summoned them, saying, “Allow the little children to come to me, and don’t hinder them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these.

Most certainly, I tell you, whoever doesn’t receive God’s Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.”

The Rich Young Ruler

(Matthew 19:16–30; Mark 10:17–31)

A certain ruler asked him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

Jesus asked him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good, except one: God.

You know the commandments: ‘Don’t commit adultery,’ ‘Don’t murder,’ ‘Don’t steal,’ ‘Don’t give false testimony,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’” (a)

He said, “I have observed all these things from my youth up.”

When Jesus heard these things, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”

But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was very rich.

Jesus, seeing that he became very sad, said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!

For it is easier for a camel to enter in through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”

Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?”

But he said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”

Peter said, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.”

He said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children, for God’s Kingdom’s sake,

who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the world to come, eternal life.”

The Third Prediction of the Passion

(Matthew 20:17–19; Mark 10:32–34)

He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all the things that are written through the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be completed.

For he will be delivered up to the Gentiles, will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit on.

They will scourge and kill him. On the third day, he will rise again.”

They understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they didn’t understand the things that were said.

Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar

(Matthew 20:29–34; Mark 10:46–52)

As he came near Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the road, begging.

Hearing a multitude going by, he asked what this meant.

They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.

He cried out, “Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!”

Those who led the way rebuked him, that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “You son of David, have mercy on me!”

Standing still, Jesus commanded him to be brought to him. When he had come near, he asked him,

“What do you want me to do?” He said, “Lord, that I may see again.”

Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you.”

Immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God. All the people, when they saw it, praised God.

Footnotes

(a)18:20 ℘ Exodus 20:12-16; Deuteronomy 5:16-20