Open English Translation LUKE Chapter 18

18 Then he told them another parable because it’s good to always be praying and not to become discouraged: 2 “Once there was a city judge who didn’t revere God and nor did he allow anyone to sway him. 3 Now there was a widow in that city, and she kept going to him saying, ‘Get me justice against my rival.’ 4 At first, he wasn’t interested in the case, but eventually he said to himself, ‘Even if I don’t fear God and I’m not easily pushed around by anyone, 5 this widow is making trouble for me. I’ll fight her case for her so she’ll stop harassing me.’ ”

6 Then the master continued, “Listen to what the ungodly judge is saying 7 and won’t God also bring justice for his chosen people when they call out to him day and night? He’ll patiently listen to them. 8 I’m telling you that he’ll quickly bring justice to the situation. However, when humanity’s child comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

9 Then Yeshua also told this parable to some who felt that they were guiltless before God because of their own goodness, and so they scorned others: 10 “Once two men went into the temple to pray—one was a Pharisee party member and the other was a tax-collector. 11 The Pharisee stood there praying quietly, ‘I thank you, God, that I’m not like the rest of the people: swindlers, sinners, adulterers, and even that tax-collector. 12 I fast twice a week and I give a tenth of everything I get.’ 13 But the tax-collector stood at a distance, not even willing to raise his head, instead beating his chest and saying, ‘God, I’m a sinner, take away my guilt.’ 14 [ref]I’m telling you all that this man went home after being declared guiltless, not the other one, because all those who praise themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be praised.”

15 The people also brought their babies to Yeshua so that he would touch them and bless them, but his apprentices scolded them when they saw it. 16 However, Yeshua called out to them, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them because God’s kingdom consists of those like them. 17 I can assure you that anyone who doesn’t accept God’s kingdom like a little child, certainly won’t be able to enter it.”

18 One time a local leader asked Yeshua, “Good teacher, what do I need to do to gain eternal life?”

19 “Why do you call me good?” Yeshua responded. “No one is good other than God himself. 20 [ref]You know God’s commandments: Don’t commit adultery, don’t murder, don’t steal, don’t lie in court, and honour your parents.”

21 “I’ve obeyed all of those since I was young,” the leader replied.

22 “Then you’re lacking only one more thing,” Yeshua added. “Sell everything you own and distribute the money to the poor, then you’ll have treasure in the heavens. Then come and follow me.” 23 But when he heard this, the man was very upset because he was extremely wealthy.

24 As Yeshua looked at him, he said, “It’s so difficult for those who’re wealthy to enter into God’s kingdom— 25 it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a wealthy person to enter God’s kingdom.”

26 Those around who heard asked, “Then who’s able to be saved?”

27 “What’s humanly impossible,” he replied, “is quite possible with God.”

28 Peter spoke up, “Hey, we left everything and followed you!”

29 “I can assure you all,” Yeshua responded, “that no one who left their home or spouse or siblings, or parents or children on account of God’s kingdom 30 will not be repaid many times over in this age as well as gaining eternal life in the coming age.”

31 Then taking the twelve aside, Yeshua told them, “Listen, we’re about to go down to Yerushalem and everything that the prophets wrote about humanity’s child will soon happen. 32 He’ll be handed over to non-Jews and will be mocked and insulted and spat on, 33 then they’ll flog him and kill him, but he’ll come back to life on the third day.”

34 But they didn’t understand any of that—the meaning of this statement was hidden from them and they didn’t realise what was being said.

35 As Yeshua got close to the city of Yericho, there was a blind man sitting beside the road begging. 36 When he heard a crowd passing through, he started asking what was going on 37 and they told him that Yeshua from Nazareth was passing by, 38 so he started shouting, “Yeshua, David’s descendant, be merciful to me!”

39 Some of the people walking past him told him to be quiet, but he just shouted louder, “David’s descendant, be merciful to me!”

40 Then Yeshua stopped and ordered that the man be brought across to him. When he came, he asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?”

He answered, “Master, I want to be able to see!”

42 “Then receive your sight,” Yeshua said, “because your faith has healed you.”

43 Immediately he was able to see and followed along after Yeshua praising God, and the people that saw it happen also praised God.