Luke 18 - English Standard Version (ESV)

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

18 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought (A)always to pray and not (B)lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who (C)neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, (D)‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And (E)will not God give justice to (F)his elect, (G)who cry to him day and night? (H)(I)Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them (J)speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, (K)will he find faith on earth?”

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

9 He also told this parable to some (L)who trusted (M)in themselves that they were righteous, (N)and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men (O)went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, (P)standing by himself, prayed[a] (Q)thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 (R)I fast twice a week; (S)I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, (T)standing far off, (U)would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but (V)beat his breast, saying, ‘God, (W)be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For (X)everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Let the Children Come to Me

15 (Y)Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they (Z)rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, (AA)“Let the children come to me, and (AB)do not hinder them, (AC)for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 (AD)Truly, I say to you, whoever does not (AE)receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

The Rich Ruler

18 (AF)And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to (AG)inherit eternal life?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: (AH)‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” 21 And he said, (AI)“All these I have kept from my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. (AJ)Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have (AK)treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 23 (AL)But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24 Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, (AM)“How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter (AN)the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter (AO)the kingdom of God.” 26 Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27 But he said, (AP)“What is impossible with man is possible with God.” 28 And Peter said, “See, (AQ)we have left our homes and followed you.” 29 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, (AR)there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers[b] or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive (AS)many times more (AT)in this time, and in (AU)the age to come eternal life.”

Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time

31 (AV)And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, (AW)we are going up to Jerusalem, and (AX)everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. 32 For he will be (AY)delivered over to the Gentiles and will be (AZ)mocked and shamefully treated and (BA)spit upon. 33 And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on (BB)the third day he will rise.” 34 (BC)But they understood none of these things. (BD)This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.

Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar

35 (BE)As he drew near to Jericho, (BF)a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. 37 They told him, (BG)“Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38 And he cried out, “Jesus, (BH)Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 And those who were in front (BI)rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, 41 (BJ)“What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” 42 And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; (BK)your faith has (BL)made you well.” 43 And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, (BM)glorifying God. And (BN)all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

Footnotes

  1. Luke 18:11 Or standing, prayed to himself
  2. Luke 18:29 Or wife or brothers and sisters

Cross references

  1. Luke 18:1 : ch. 21:36; Rom. 12:12; Eph. 6:18; Col. 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:17; [ch. 11:5-9]
  2. Luke 18:1 : 2 Cor. 4:1, 16; 2 Thess. 3:13 (Gk.)
  3. Luke 18:2 : [2 Cor. 8:21]
  4. Luke 18:4 : [ch. 11:8]
  5. Luke 18:7 : Rev. 6:10; [Isa. 63:4]
  6. Luke 18:7 : Rom. 8:33; Col. 3:12; Titus 1:1; See Mark 13:20
  7. Luke 18:7 : Ps. 88:1
  8. Luke 18:7 : James 5:7 (Gk.)
  9. Luke 18:7 : 2 Pet. 3:9
  10. Luke 18:8 : Heb. 10:37
  11. Luke 18:8 : ch. 17:26-30; [Matt. 24:12]
  12. Luke 18:9 : ch. 16:15; [Matt. 5:20]
  13. Luke 18:9 : 2 Cor. 1:9
  14. Luke 18:9 : Prov. 30:12; Isa. 65:5; John 7:48, 49
  15. Luke 18:10 : 2 Kgs. 20:5, 8; Acts 3:1; [ver. 14]
  16. Luke 18:11 : Matt. 6:5; Mark 11:25
  17. Luke 18:11 : [Rev. 3:17]
  18. Luke 18:12 : Matt. 9:14
  19. Luke 18:12 : ch. 11:42
  20. Luke 18:13 : [See ver. 11 above]; Matt. 6:5; Mark 11:25
  21. Luke 18:13 : Ezra 9:6
  22. Luke 18:13 : ch. 23:48
  23. Luke 18:13 : Ps. 79:9; Ezek. 16:63; Dan. 9:19
  24. Luke 18:14 : See ch. 14:11
  25. Luke 18:15 : For ver. 15-17, see Matt. 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16
  26. Luke 18:15 : ver. 39
  27. Luke 18:16 : Matt. 18:3
  28. Luke 18:16 : [Mark 9:39]
  29. Luke 18:16 : Matt. 18:3
  30. Luke 18:17 : [John 3:3, 5]
  31. Luke 18:17 : [ch. 8:13; James 1:21]
  32. Luke 18:18 : For ver. 18-30, see Matt. 19:16-29; Mark 10:17-30; [ch. 10:25-28]
  33. Luke 18:18 : [Matt. 19:16]; See Matt. 25:34
  34. Luke 18:20 : Rom. 13:9; Cited from Ex. 20:12-16; Deut. 5:16-20; [Matt. 5:21, 27]
  35. Luke 18:21 : [Phil. 3:6]
  36. Luke 18:22 : ch. 12:33; [ch. 16:9; 19:8; Acts 2:45; 4:34, 35; 1 Tim. 6:18, 19]
  37. Luke 18:22 : Matt. 6:19, 20
  38. Luke 18:23 : [Ezek. 33:31]
  39. Luke 18:24 : [1 Cor. 1:26]; See Matt. 13:22
  40. Luke 18:24 : See Matt. 12:28
  41. Luke 18:25 : [See ver. 24 above]; See Matt. 12:28
  42. Luke 18:27 : ch. 1:37; Gen. 18:14; Job 42:2; Jer. 32:17, 27
  43. Luke 18:28 : Matt. 4:20, 22; Mark 1:18, 20
  44. Luke 18:29 : [ch. 14:26]
  45. Luke 18:30 : [Job 42:10]
  46. Luke 18:30 : [Matt. 6:33]
  47. Luke 18:30 : Matt. 12:32; Eph. 1:21; [ch. 20:35]
  48. Luke 18:31 : For ver. 31-33, see Matt. 20:17-19; Mark 10:32-34
  49. Luke 18:31 : See ch. 9:51
  50. Luke 18:31 : Ps. 22; See Matt. 1:22; 26:24
  51. Luke 18:32 : Matt. 27:2; John 18:30, 31; Acts 3:13; [Acts 2:23; 4:27; 21:11]
  52. Luke 18:32 : Matt. 27:26-31
  53. Luke 18:32 : Mark 14:65; 15:19; See Matt. 26:67
  54. Luke 18:33 : See ch. 9:22
  55. Luke 18:34 : See Mark 9:32
  56. Luke 18:34 : ch. 9:45; [ch. 24:16]
  57. Luke 18:35 : For ver. 35-43, see Matt. 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52
  58. Luke 18:35 : John 9:1, 8
  59. Luke 18:37 : Matt. 2:23
  60. Luke 18:38 : See Matt. 1:1; 9:27
  61. Luke 18:39 : ver. 15
  62. Luke 18:41 : Mark 10:36
  63. Luke 18:42 : ch. 7:50; 8:48; 17:19; Matt. 9:22; Mark 5:34
  64. Luke 18:42 : ch. 7:3; 8:36, 50
  65. Luke 18:43 : See ch. 7:16; 13:13
  66. Luke 18:43 : [ch. 19:37]

You Might Also Like:

Luke 18 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

18 And he spake also a simile to them, that it behoveth [us] always to pray, and not to faint, 2 saying, `A certain judge was in a certain city -- God he is not fearing, and man he is not regarding -- 3 and a widow was in that city, and she was coming unto him, saying, Do me justice on my opponent, ...
Read More

Luke 18 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

18 And he said to them also a parable, that it behooveth to pray evermore, and not [to] fail; [Forsooth he said also a parable to them, for it behooveth to pray ever, and not to fail;] 2 and said, There was a judge in a city, that dreaded not God, neither shamed of men.[a] 3 And a widow was in that ...
Read More

Luke 18 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

18 Jesus told them a story to teach them that they should keep on talking with God and not give up. 2 He said, `There was a judge in a city. He did not respect God or care about people. 3 There was a woman in that city whose husband was dead. The woman came to the judge again and again. She said, "S...
Read More

Luke 18 - World English Bible (WEB)

18 He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray, and not give up, 2 saying, “There was a judge in a certain city who didn’t fear God, and didn’t respect man. 3 A widow was in that city, and she often came to him, saying, ‘Defend me from my adversary!’ 4 He wouldn’t for a while, but ...
Read More

Luke 18 - The Voice (VOICE)

18 He told them a parable, urging them to keep praying and never grow discouraged. The parable went like this: Jesus: 2 There was a judge living in a certain city. He showed no respect for God or humanity. 3 In that same city there was a widow. Again and again she kept coming to him seeking justice...
Read More

Luke 18 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

18 Then Yeshua told them a parable to show that they should always pray and not be discouraged, 2 He said, “There was a judge in a certain city who neither feared God nor respected people. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my opponent.’ 4...
Read More

Luke 18 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

The Parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge18 And he told them a parable, to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor regarded man; 3 and there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and sayi...
Read More

Luke 18 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

The Parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge18 And he told them a parable, to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor regarded man; 3 and there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and sayi...
Read More

Luke 18 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

18 And He also spoke a parable to them showing that they ought always to pray and not grow weary, 2 He said, “There was a judge in a certain city who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 “And there was a widow in that city who came to him saying, ‘Do me justice against my adversary.’ 4 “And he wo...
Read More

Luke 18 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

The Parables of the Persistent Widow and the Tax-Collector18 Jesus told them a parable, about how they should always pray and not give up. 2 ‘There was once a judge in a certain town,’ he said, ‘who didn’t fear God, and didn’t have any respect for people. 3 There was a widow in that town, and she c...
Read More

Luke 18 - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

The Parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge18 Then Jesus[a] told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. 3 In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and sa...
Read More

Luke 18 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

The Parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge18 Then Jesus[a] told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. 2 He said, ‘In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. 3 In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and sa...
Read More

Luke 18 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge18 Then Jesus[a] told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. 3 In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and sayi...
Read More

Luke 18 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

He teaches to be fervent in prayer continually. Of the Pharisee and the publican. The kingdom of God belongs to children. Christ answers the ruler, and promises reward to all who suffer loss for his sake and follow him. The blind man is restored to his sight. 18 And he put forth a similitude to them...
Read More

Luke 18 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Parable of the Persistent Widow18 One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. 2 “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. 3 A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice...
Read More

Luke 18 - New Life Version (NLV)

The Picture-Story of the Woman Whose Husband Had Died18 Jesus told them a picture-story to show that men should always pray and not give up. 2 He said, “There was a man in one of the cities who was head of the court. His work was to say if a person was guilty or not. This man was not afraid of God....
Read More

Luke 18 - New King James Version (NKJV)

The Parable of the Persistent Widow18 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men (A)always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor [a]regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, [b]‘Get justice for ...
Read More