Add parallel Print Page Options

Parables on Prayer

18 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they (A)ought to pray and not to (B)lose heart, saying, “In a certain city there was a certain judge who did not fear God and did not (C)respect man. Now there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice from my opponent.’ And for a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor (D)respect man, yet (E)because this widow is bothering me, I will give her justice, lest by continually coming she [a](F)wears me out.’” And (G)the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge *said. Now, will God not (H)bring about justice for His (I)elect who cry to Him day and night, [b]and will He (J)delay long over them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, (K)will He find that faith on the earth?”

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Luke 18:5 Lit hit me under the eye
  2. Luke 18:7 Or and yet He is very patient toward them

Justice for the faithful

18 Jesus was telling them a parable about their need to pray continuously and not to be discouraged. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him, asking, ‘Give me justice in this case against my adversary.’ For a while he refused but finally said to himself, I don’t fear God or respect people, but I will give this widow justice because she keeps bothering me. Otherwise, there will be no end to her coming here and embarrassing me.” The Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. Won’t God provide justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he be slow to help them? I tell you, he will give them justice quickly. But when the Human One[a] comes, will he find faithfulness on earth?”

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Luke 18:8 Or Son of Man

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

18 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.(A) He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice(B) against my adversary.’

“For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”(C)

And the Lord(D) said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out(E) to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man(F) comes,(G) will he find faith on the earth?”

Read full chapter