Daily Reading for Personal Growth, 40 Days with God

¹⁰ Shnei anashim (two men) went up to the Beis Hamikdash to daven, one was a Perush and the other, a moches (tax collector).

¹¹ The Perush was standing by himself, shawkling (ritual swaying while davening), and his tefillah went like this: Adonoi, Modeh Ani that I am not like other men, swindlers, reshaim, menaafim, or even this moches.

¹² I undergo a tzom (fast) twice during the week, I give the ma’aser (tithe) of everything as much as I get. [YESHAYAH 58:3, MALACHI 3:8]

¹³ But the moches (tax collector) stood at a distance and was not willing even to lift up his eynayim to Shomayim but was beating his chest, saying, Adonoi, rachem na al choteh kamoni! (L-rd, have mercy on a sinner like me!) [YESHAYAH 66:2; YIRMEYAH 31:19]

¹⁴ I say to you, this one, rather than the other one, went down to his bais having been made yitzdak im Hashem (justified with G-d). Because everyone lifting himself up will be brought low, but the one bringing himself low will be uplifted.