Luke 18:9-20

English Standard Version

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

⁹He also told this parable to some ^(A)who trusted ^(B)in themselves that they were righteous, ^(C)and treated others with contempt: ¹⁰“Two men ^(D)went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹The Pharisee, ^(E)standing by himself, prayed^[a] ^(F)thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. ¹²^(G)I fast twice a week; ^(H)I give tithes of all that I get.’ ¹³But the tax collector, ^(I)standing far off, ^(J)would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but ^(K)beat his breast, saying, ‘God, ^(L)be merciful to me, a sinner!’ ¹⁴I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For ^(M)everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Let the Children Come to Me

¹⁵^(N)Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they ^(O)rebuked them. ¹⁶But Jesus called them to him, saying, ^(P)“Let the children come to me, and ^(Q)do not hinder them, ^(R)for to such belongs the kingdom of God. ¹⁷^(S)Truly, I say to you, whoever does not ^(T)receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

The Rich Ruler

¹⁸^(U)And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to ^(V)inherit eternal life?” ¹⁹And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. ²⁰You know the commandments: ^(W)‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’”