The Parable of the Persistent Widow

18 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men (A)always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor [a]regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, [b]‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, (B)yet because this widow troubles me I will [c]avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ”

Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And (C)shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you (D)that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 18:2 respect
  2. Luke 18:3 Avenge me on
  3. Luke 18:5 vindicate

18 And he spake a parable unto them to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint; saying, There was in a city a judge, who feared not God, and regarded not man: and there was a widow in that city; and she came oft unto him, saying, [a]Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, [b]lest she [c]wear me out by her continual coming. And the Lord said, Hear what [d]the unrighteous judge saith. And shall not God avenge his elect, that cry to him day and night, [e]and yet he is longsuffering over them? I say unto you, that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find [f]faith on the earth?

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 18:3 Or, Do me justice of: and so in verses 5, 7, 8.
  2. Luke 18:5 Or, lest at last by her coming she wear me out
  3. Luke 18:5 Greek bruise.
  4. Luke 18:6 Greek the judge of unrighteousness.
  5. Luke 18:7 Or, and is he slow to punish on their behalf?
  6. Luke 18:8 Or, the faith