Luk 18 | NASB2020 | STEP | Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not become discouraged ,

1 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ^aought to pray and not ^bbecome discouraged, 2 saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not ^crespect any person. 3 Now there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my ^{▼▼Or enemy}opponent.’ 4 For a while he was unwilling; but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor ^erespect any person, 5 yet ^fbecause this widow is bothering me, I will give her justice; otherwise ^{▼▼Or in the end she may come and give me a black eye}by continually coming she will ^hwear me out.’” 6 And ⁱthe Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge *said; 7 now, will God not ^jbring about justice for His ^kelect who cry out to Him day ^{▼▼Or and night? He is also patient toward them}and night, and will He ^mdelay long for them? 8 I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, ⁿwill He find ^{▼▼Lit the faith}faith on the earth?”

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

9 Now He also told this parable to some people who ^ptrusted in themselves that they were righteous, and ^qviewed others with contempt: 10 “Two men ^rwent up into the ^{▼▼I.e., the temple grounds}temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee ^tstood and began praying this in regard to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, crooked, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I ^ufast twice a week; I ^vpay tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, ^wstanding some distance away, ^xwas even unwilling to raise his eyes toward heaven, but ^ywas beating his chest, saying, ‘God, be ^{▼▼Or propitious}merciful to me, the sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other one; ^aafor everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

15 ^abNow they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them. 16 But Jesus called for ^{▼▼Lit them}the little ones, saying, “Allow the children to come to Me, and do not ^{▼▼Or prevent}forbid them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I say to you, ^aewhoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”

The Rich Young Ruler

18 ^afA ruler questioned Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 But Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me ^{▼▼I.e., morally, inherently good}good? No one is ^{▼▼I.e., morally, inherently good}good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments, ‘ ^aiDo not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not give false testimony, Honor your father and mother.’” 21 And he said, “All these things I have kept since my youth.” 22 Now when Jesus heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack; ^ajsell all that you possess and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have ^aktreasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 23 But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely wealthy. 24 And Jesus looked at him and said, “ ^alHow hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For ^amit is easier for a camel to ^{▼▼Lit enter}go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God!” 26 Those who heard Him said, “And so who can be saved?” 27 But He said, “ ^aoThe things that are impossible with people are possible with God.”

28 Peter said, “Behold, ^apwe have left ^{▼▼Lit our own things}our own homes and followed You.” 29 And He said to them, “Truly I say to you, ^arthere is no one who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive many times as much at this time, and in ^asthe age to come, eternal life.”

31 ^atNow He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, ^auwe are going up to Jerusalem, and ^avall the things that have been written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. 32 ^awFor He will be ^{▼▼Or betrayed to}handed over to the Gentiles, and will be ridiculed, and abused, and spit upon, 33 and after they have flogged Him, they will kill Him; and on the third day He will rise.” 34 ^{▼▼Lit And they themselves
,} ^azThe disciples understood none of these things, and the meaning of this statement was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend the things that were said.

Bartimaeus Receives Sight

35 ^baNow as ^{▼▼Lit He
,} ^bcJesus was approaching Jericho, a man who was blind was sitting by the road, begging. 36 But when he heard a crowd going by, he began inquiring what this was. 37 They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. 38 And he called out, saying, “Jesus, ^bdSon of David, have mercy on me!” 39 Those who led the way were sternly telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more, “ ^beSon of David, have mercy on me!” 40 And Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him; and when he came near, He asked him, 41 “What do you want Me to do for you?” And he said, “Lord, I want to regain my sight!” 42 And Jesus said to him, “Regain your sight; ^bfyour faith has ^{▼▼Lit saved you}made you well.” 43 And immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, ^bhglorifying God; and when ^biall the people saw it, they gave praise to God.