Luke 18:1-18:17

Witness of the Humble Sinner

  1. And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
  2. Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
  3. And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
  4. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
  5. Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
  6. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
  7. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
  8. I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
  9. And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
  10. Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
  11. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
  12. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
  13. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
  14. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
  15. And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
  16. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
  17. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.