⁶ For I am already being poured out like a drink offering,^(A) and the time for my departure is near.^{(B) 7} I have fought the good fight,^(C) I have finished the race,^(D) I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me^(E) the crown of righteousness,^(F) which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day^(G)—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.^(H)

¹⁶ At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.^{(A) 17} But the Lord stood at my side^(B) and gave me strength,^(C) so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.^(D) And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.^{(E) 18} The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack^(F) and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.^(G) To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.^(H)

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

⁹ To some who were confident of their own righteousness^(A) and looked down on everyone else,^(B) Jesus told this parable: ¹⁰ “Two men went up to the temple to pray,^(C) one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood by himself^(D) and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast^(E) twice a week and give a tenth^(F) of all I get.’

¹³ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast^(G) and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’^(H)

¹⁴ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”^(I)