Introduction

1 Since many have undertaken to compile an account of the things ^[a](A)accomplished among us, ² just as they were handed down to us by those who ^(B)from the beginning ^[b]were ^(C)eyewitnesses and ^[c](D)servants of ^(E)the ^[d]word, ³ it seemed fitting to me as well, ^(F)having ^[e]investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you ^(G)in an orderly sequence, ^(H)most excellent ^(I)Theophilus; ⁴ so that you may know the exact truth about the ^[f]things you have been ^[g](J)taught.

¹⁰ “Two men ^(A)went up into the ^[a]temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee ^(B)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 ^(C)fast twice a week; I ^(D)pay tithes of all that I get.’ ¹³ But the tax collector, ^(E)standing some distance away, ^(F)was even unwilling to raise his eyes toward heaven, but ^(G)was beating his chest, saying, ‘God, be ^[b]merciful to me, the sinner!’ ¹⁴ I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other one; ^(H)for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

The Rich Young Ruler

^18 (A)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 ^[a]good? No one is ^[b]good except God alone. ²⁰ You know the commandments, ‘^(B)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; ^(C)sell all that you possess and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have ^(D)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, “^(E)How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵ For ^(F)it is easier for a camel to ^[c]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, “^(G)The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.”

^31 (A)Now He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, ^(B)we are going up to Jerusalem, and ^(C)all the things that have been written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. ^32 (D)For He will be ^[a]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 [b](E)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.

²¹ Looking at him, Jesus showed love to him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have ^(A)treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”