路加福音 18
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
恆心禱告
18 耶穌講了一個比喻來教導門徒要常常禱告，不要灰心。
2 祂說：「某城有一位既不敬畏上帝也不尊重人的審判官。 3 那城裡有一位寡婦常常來哀求這位審判官，說，『求你為我伸冤，懲辦我的對頭。』 4 審判官總是充耳不聞，但後來心裡想，『雖然我不怕上帝，也不在乎人， 5 可是這寡婦一直來煩我，還是替她伸冤好了，免得她再來煩我！』」
6 主接著說：「你們聽，這不義的審判官尚且這麼說， 7 難道上帝聽到祂揀選的人晝夜呼求，不替他們伸冤嗎？難道祂會一直耽延不理嗎？ 8 我告訴你們，祂必很快為他們伸冤。不過當人子來的時候，在世上找得到有信心的人嗎？」
兩種禱告
9 耶穌對那些自以為義、藐視別人的人講了一個比喻： 10 「有兩個人到聖殿裡禱告，一個是法利賽人，一個是稅吏。 11 法利賽人站在那裡自言自語地禱告說，『上帝啊！我感謝你，因為我不像別人那樣勒索、不義、通姦，也不像這稅吏。 12 我每週禁食兩次，奉獻全部收入的十分之一。』
13 「但那稅吏卻遠遠地站著，連頭也不敢抬起來，捶著胸說，『上帝啊，求你憐憫我這個罪人！』
14 「我告訴你們，二人回家後，被上帝算為義的是稅吏而不是法利賽人，因為自高的人必遭貶抑，謙卑的人必得尊榮。」
祝福孩子
15 有許多人把嬰孩帶來要讓耶穌摸一摸他們，為他們祝福，門徒看見，就責備這些人。 16 耶穌卻招呼他們過來，並對門徒說：「讓小孩子到我這裡來，不要阻止他們，因為上帝的國屬於這樣的人。 17 我實在告訴你們，人若不像小孩子一樣接受上帝的國，絕不能進去。」
富豪求問永生
18 一位官長問耶穌：「良善的老師，我該做什麼才能承受永生？」
19 耶穌說：「你為什麼稱呼我『良善的老師』呢？只有上帝是良善的。 20 你知道『不可通姦，不可殺人，不可偷盜，不可作偽證，要孝敬父母』這些誡命」。
21 那人說：「我從小就遵行這些誡命。」
22 耶穌聽了就對他說：「你還有一件事沒有做，就是變賣你所有的產業，分給窮人，你必有財寶存在天上，然後你還要來跟從我。」 23 那人聽了，極其憂愁，因為他非常富有。
24 耶穌見狀，就說；「有錢人進上帝的國真難啊！ 25 駱駝穿過針眼比有錢人進上帝的國還容易呢！」
26 聽見的人就問：「這樣，誰能得救呢？」
27 耶穌回答說：「對人而言，這不可能，但對上帝而言，凡事都可能。」
28 彼得說：「你看！我們已經撇下一切來跟從你了。」
29 耶穌說：「我實在告訴你們，任何人為了上帝的國而撇下房屋、妻子、弟兄、父母或兒女， 30 今世必得百倍的獎賞，來世必得永生。」
再次預言受害和復活
31 耶穌把十二使徒帶到一邊，對他們說：「你們要留意，我們現在前往耶路撒冷，先知書上有關人子的記載都要應驗， 32 人子將被交在外族人的手裡，被他們嘲弄、虐待、吐唾沫、 33 鞭打和殺害，但第三天祂必復活。」 34 使徒卻一點也不明白，因為這番話的含意是隱藏的，他們聽不明白。
治癒耶利哥的瞎子
35 耶穌快到耶利哥城的時候，有一個瞎子坐在路旁討飯。 36 他聽見許多人經過，就詢問是怎麼回事。 37 有人告訴他是拿撒勒人耶穌經過此地， 38 他就高聲呼喊：「大衛的後裔耶穌啊，可憐我吧！」
39 走在前面的人責備他，讓他安靜，但他反而叫得更大聲：「大衛的後裔啊，可憐我吧！」
40 耶穌停下腳步，命人把他帶過來，然後問他： 41 「你要我為你做什麼？」
他說：「主啊！我想能夠看見。」
42 耶穌對他說：「你看見吧！你的信心救了你。」 43 他立刻得見光明，並跟隨耶穌，一路讚美上帝。目睹這事的人也都讚美上帝。
Luke 18
New American Standard Bible
Parables on Prayer
18 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they (A)ought to pray and not (B)become discouraged, 2 saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not (C)respect any person. 3 Now there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my [a]opponent.’ 4 For a while he was unwilling; but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor (D)respect any person, 5 yet (E)because this widow is bothering me, I will give her justice; otherwise [b]by continually coming she will (F)wear me out.’” 6 And (G)the Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge *said; 7 now, will God not (H)bring about justice for His (I)elect who cry out to Him day [c]and night, and will He (J)delay long for them? 8 I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, (K)will He find [d]faith on the earth?”
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
9 Now He also told this parable to some people who (L)trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and (M)viewed others with contempt: 10 “Two men (N)went up into the [e]temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee (O)stood 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 (P)fast twice a week; I (Q)pay tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, (R)standing some distance away, (S)was even unwilling to raise his eyes toward heaven, but (T)was beating his chest, saying, ‘God, be [f]merciful to me, the sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other one; (U)for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
15 (V)Now 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 [g]the little ones, saying, “Allow the children to come to Me, and do not [h]forbid them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I say to you, (W)whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”
The Rich Young Ruler
18 (X)A 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]good? No one is [j]good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments, ‘(Y)Do 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; (Z)sell all that you possess and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have (AA)treasure 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, “(AB)How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For (AC)it is easier for a camel to [k]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, “(AD)The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.”
28 Peter said, “Behold, (AE)we have left [l]our own homes and followed You.” 29 And He said to them, “Truly I say to you, (AF)there 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 (AG)the age to come, eternal life.”
31 (AH)Now He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, (AI)we are going up to Jerusalem, and (AJ)all the things that have been written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. 32 (AK)For He will be [m]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 [n](AL)The 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 (AM)Now as [o](AN)Jesus 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, (AO)Son 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, “(AP)Son 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; (AQ)your faith has [p]made you well.” 43 And immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, (AR)glorifying God; and when (AS)all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.
Footnotes
- Luke 18:3 Or enemy
- Luke 18:5 Or in the end she may come and give me a black eye
- Luke 18:7 Or and night? He is also patient toward them
- Luke 18:8 Lit the faith
- Luke 18:10 I.e., the temple grounds
- Luke 18:13 Or propitious
- Luke 18:16 Lit them
- Luke 18:16 Or prevent
- Luke 18:19 I.e., morally, inherently good
- Luke 18:19 I.e., morally, inherently good
- Luke 18:25 Lit enter
- Luke 18:28 Lit our own things
- Luke 18:32 Or betrayed to
- Luke 18:34 Lit And they themselves
- Luke 18:35 Lit He
- Luke 18:42 Lit saved you
Luke 18
The Message
The Story of the Persistent Widow
18 1-3 Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit. He said, “There was once a judge in some city who never gave God a thought and cared nothing for people. A widow in that city kept after him: ‘My rights are being violated. Protect me!’
4-5 “He never gave her the time of day. But after this went on and on he said to himself, ‘I care nothing what God thinks, even less what people think. But because this widow won’t quit badgering me, I’d better do something and see that she gets justice—otherwise I’m going to end up beaten black-and-blue by her pounding.’”
6-8 Then the Master said, “Do you hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is saying? So what makes you think God won’t step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won’t he stick up for them? I assure you, he will. He will not drag his feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns?”
The Story of the Tax Man and the Pharisee
9-12 He told his next story to some who were complacently pleased with themselves over their moral performance and looked down their noses at the common people: “Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax man. The Pharisee posed and prayed like this: ‘Oh, God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, crooks, adulterers, or, heaven forbid, like this tax man. I fast twice a week and tithe on all my income.’
13 “Meanwhile the tax man, slumped in the shadows, his face in his hands, not daring to look up, said, ‘God, give mercy. Forgive me, a sinner.’”
14 Jesus commented, “This tax man, not the other, went home made right with God. If you walk around with your nose in the air, you’re going to end up flat on your face, but if you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself.”
* * *
15-17 People brought babies to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. When the disciples saw it, they shooed them off. Jesus called them back. “Let these children alone. Don’t get between them and me. These children are the kingdom’s pride and joy. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.”
The Rich Official
18 One day one of the local officials asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to deserve eternal life?”
19-20 Jesus said, “Why are you calling me good? No one is good—only God. You know the commandments, don’t you? No illicit sex, no killing, no stealing, no lying, honor your father and mother.”
21 He said, “I’ve kept them all for as long as I can remember.”
22 When Jesus heard that, he said, “Then there’s only one thing left to do: Sell everything you own and give it away to the poor. You will have riches in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
23 This was the last thing the official expected to hear. He was very rich and became terribly sad. He was holding on tight to a lot of things and not about to let them go.
24-25 Seeing his reaction, Jesus said, “Do you have any idea how difficult it is for people who have it all to enter God’s kingdom? I’d say it’s easier to thread a camel through a needle’s eye than get a rich person into God’s kingdom.”
26 “Then who has any chance at all?” the others asked.
27 “No chance at all,” Jesus said, “if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it.”
28 Peter tried to regain some initiative: “We left everything we owned and followed you, didn’t we?”
29-30 “Yes,” said Jesus, “and you won’t regret it. No one who has sacrificed home, spouse, brothers and sisters, parents, children—whatever—will lose out. It will all come back multiplied many times over in your lifetime. And then the bonus of eternal life!”
I Want to See Again
31-34 Then Jesus took the Twelve off to the side and said, “Listen carefully. We’re on our way up to Jerusalem. Everything written in the Prophets about the Son of Man will take place. He will be handed over to the Romans, jeered at, ridiculed, and spit on. Then, after giving him the third degree, they will kill him. In three days he will rise, alive.” But they didn’t get it, could make neither heads nor tails of what he was talking about.
35-37 He came to the outskirts of Jericho. A blind man was sitting beside the road asking for handouts. When he heard the rustle of the crowd, he asked what was going on. They told him, “Jesus the Nazarene is going by.”
38 He yelled, “Jesus! Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!”
39 Those ahead of Jesus told the man to shut up, but he only yelled all the louder, “Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!”
40 Jesus stopped and ordered him to be brought over. When he had come near, Jesus asked, “What do you want from me?”
41 He said, “Master, I want to see again.”
42-43 Jesus said, “Go ahead—see again! Your faith has saved and healed you!” The healing was instant: He looked up, seeing—and then followed Jesus, glorifying God. Everyone in the street joined in, shouting praise to God.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson