⁴⁴ So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words.

⁸ Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me,^(A)

The Parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge

18 Then Jesus^[a] told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart.

⁷ “When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard because of their many words.^(A)

¹⁷ Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his supplication, and for your own sake, Lord,^[a] let your face shine upon your desolated sanctuary.^{(A) 18} Incline your ear, O my God, and hear. Open your eyes and look at our desolation and the city that bears your name. We do not present our supplication before you on the ground of our righteousness but on the ground of your great mercies.^{(B) 19} O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, listen and act and do not delay! For your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people bear your name!”^(C)