The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

He(A) also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves(B) that they were righteous(C) and looked down(D) on everyone else: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray,(E) one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee was standing(F) and praying like this about himself: [a] ‘God, I thank you that I’m not like other people—greedy,(G) unrighteous,(H) adulterers,(I) or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast(J) twice a week; I give a tenth[b](K) of everything I get.’

13 “But the tax collector, standing far off,(L) would not even raise his eyes to heaven(M) but kept striking his chest(N) and saying, ‘God, have mercy on me,[c](O) a sinner!’ (P) 14 I tell you, this one went down to his house justified(Q) rather than the other, because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”(R)

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Footnotes

  1. 18:11 Or by himself
  2. 18:12 Or give tithes
  3. 18:13 Or God, turn your wrath from me

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

To some who were confident of their own righteousness(A) and looked down on everyone else,(B) Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray,(C) one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself(D) and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast(E) twice a week and give a tenth(F) of all I get.’

13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast(G) and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’(H)

14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”(I)

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