Luke 18:9-29

English Standard Version

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

⁹ He 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. ¹¹ The 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.’ ¹³ But 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!’ ¹⁴ I 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. ¹⁶ But 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?” ¹⁹ And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. ²⁰ You know the commandments: ^(W)‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” ²¹ And he said, ^(X)“All these I have kept from my youth.” ²² When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. ^(Y)Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have ^(Z)treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” ^23 (AA)But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. ²⁴ Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, ^(AB)“How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter ^(AC)the kingdom of God! ²⁵ For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter ^(AD)the kingdom of God.” ²⁶ Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” ²⁷ But he said, ^(AE)“What is impossible with man is possible with God.” ²⁸ And Peter said, “See, ^(AF)we have left our homes and followed you.” ²⁹ And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, ^(AG)there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers^[b] or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God,