Luke 18
Jesus told a parable about a persistent widow who sought justice from an unjust judge, illustrating that God will quickly grant vindication to those who cry out to him. He then told a parable about a Pharisee and a tax collector, highlighting that humility is necessary for justification before God. Jesus also taught that the kingdom of God belongs to those who accept it like a child and that wealth can be an obstacle to entering the kingdom. A rich leader asked Jesus about eternal life, but was unwilling to give up his wealth to follow Jesus. Jesus then predicted his own death and resurrection to his disciples, but they did not understand. Finally, Jesus healed a blind man near Jericho, who had cried out for mercy and was saved by his faith.
Now he also told them a parable, that we should continually pray and not ceasesaying: "There was a certain judge in a certain city, who did not fear God and did not respect manBut there was a certain widow in that city, and she went to him, saying, ‘Vindicate me from my adversary.And he refused to do so for a long time. But afterwards, he said within himself: ‘Even though I do not fear God, nor respect manyet because this widow is pestering me, I will vindicate her, lest by returning, she may, in the end, wear me out.’ Then the Lord said: "Listen to what the unjust judge saidSo then, will not God grant the vindication of his elect, who cry out to him day and night? Or will he continue to endure themI tell you that he will quickly bring vindication to them. Yet truly, when the Son of man returns, do you think that he will find faith on earth?Now about certain persons who consider themselves to be just, while disdaining others, he told also this parable"Two men ascended to the temple, in order to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collectorStanding, the Pharisee prayed within himself in this way: ‘O God, I give thanks to you that I am not like the rest of men: robbers, unjust, adulterers, even as this tax collector chooses to beI fast twice between Sabbaths. I give tithes from all that I possess.And the tax collector, standing at a distance, was not willing to even lift up his eyes to heaven. But he struck his chest, saying: ‘O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.I say to you, this one descended to his house justified, but not the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled; and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.And they were bringing little children to him, so that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw this, they rebuked themBut Jesus, calling them together, said: "Allow the children to come to me, and do not be an obstacle to them. For of such is the kingdom of GodAmen, I say to you, whoever will not accept the kingdom of God like a child, will not enter into it.And a certain leader questioned him, saying: "Good teacher, what should I do to possess eternal life?Then Jesus said to him: "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God aloneYou know the commandments: You shall not kill. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not give false testimony. Honor your father and mother.And he said, "I have kept all these things from my youth.And when Jesus heard this, he said to him: "One thing is still lacking for you. Sell all the things that you have, and give to the poor. And then you will have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me.When he heard this, he became very sorrowful. For he was very richThen Jesus, seeing him brought to sorrow, said: "How difficult it is for those who have money to enter into the kingdom of GodFor it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a wealthy man to enter into the kingdom of God.And those who were listening to this said, "Then who is able to be saved?He said to them, "Things that are impossible with men are possible with God.And Peter said, "Behold, we have left everything, and we have followed you.And he said to them: "Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has left behind home, or parents, or brothers, or a wife, or children, for the sake of the kingdom of Godwho will not receive much more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.Then Jesus took the twelve aside, and he said to them: "Behold, we are ascending to Jerusalem, and everything shall be completed which was written by the prophets about the Son of manFor he will be handed over to the Gentiles, and he will be mocked and scourged and spit uponAnd after they have scourged him, they will kill him. And on the third day, he will rise again.But they understood none of these things. For this word was concealed from them, and they did not understand the things that were saidNow it happened that, as he was approaching Jericho, a certain blind man was sitting beside the way, beggingAnd when he heard the multitude passing by, he asked what this wasAnd they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing byAnd he cried out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, take pity on me!And those who were passing by rebuked him, so that he would be silent. Yet truly, he cried out all the more, "Son of David, take pity on me!Then Jesus, standing still, ordered him to be brought to him. And when he had drawn near, he questioned himsaying, "What do you want, that I might do for you?" So he said, "Lord, that I may see.And Jesus said to him: "Look around. Your faith has saved you.And immediately he saw. And he followed him, magnifying God. And all the people, when they saw this, gave praise to God
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