Luke 18:9-14

GOD’S WORD Translation

A Pharisee and a Tax Collector

⁹ Jesus also used this illustration with some who were sure that God approved of them while they looked down on everyone else. ¹⁰ He said, “Two men went into the temple courtyard to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood up and prayed, ‘God, I thank you that I’m not like other people! I’m not a robber or a dishonest person. I haven’t committed adultery. I’m not even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my entire income.’

¹³ “But the tax collector was standing at a distance. He wouldn’t even look up to heaven. Instead, he became very upset, and he said, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’

¹⁴ “I can guarantee that this tax collector went home with God’s approval, but the Pharisee didn’t. Everyone who honors himself will be humbled, but the person who humbles himself will be honored.”