We must pray always. The Pharisee and the publican. The danger of
riches. The blind man is restored to sight.
18:1. And he spoke also a parable to them, that we ought always to pray
and not to faint,
18:2. Saying: There was a judge in a certain city, who feared not God
nor regarded man.
18:3. And there was a certain widow in that city; and she came to him,
saying: Avenge me of my adversary.
Avenge... That is, do me justice. It is a Hebraism.
18:4. And he would not for a long time. But afterwards he said within
himself: Although I fear not God nor regard man,
18:5. Yet because this widow is troublesome to me, I will avenge her,
lest continually coming she weary me.
18:6. And the Lord said: Hear what the unjust judge saith.
18:7. And will not God revenge his elect who cry to him day and night?
And will he have patience in their regard?
18:8. I say to you that he will quickly revenge them. But yet the Son of
man, when he cometh, shall he find, think you, faith on earth?
18:9. And to some who trusted in themselves as just and despised others,
he spoke also this parable:
18:10. Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee and
the other a publican.
18:11. The Pharisee standing, prayed thus with himself: O God, I give
thee thanks that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust,
adulterers, as also is this publican.
18:12. I fast twice in a week: I give tithes of all that I possess.
18:13. And the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up
his eyes towards heaven; but struck his breast, saying: O God, be
merciful to me a sinner.
18:14. I say to you, this man went down into his house justified rather
than the other: because every one that exalteth himself shall be
humbled: and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
18:15. And they brought unto him also infants, that he might touch them.
Which when the disciples saw, they rebuked them.
18:16. But Jesus, calling them together, said: Suffer children to come
to me and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
18:17. Amen, I say to you: Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of
God as a child shall not enter into it.
18:18. And a certain ruler asked him, saying: Good master, what shall I
do to possess everlasting life?
18:19. And Jesus said to him: Why dost thou call me good? None is good
but God alone.
18:20. Thou knowest the commandments: Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt
not commit adultery: Thou shalt not steal: Thou shalt not bear false
witness: Honour thy father and mother.
18:21. Who said: All these things have I kept from my youth.
18:22. Which when Jesus had heard, he said to him: Yet one thing is
wanting to thee. Sell all whatever thou hast and give to the poor: and
thou shalt have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me.
18:23. He having heard these things, became sorrowful: for he was very
rich.
18:24. And Jesus seeing him become sorrowful, said: How hardly shall
they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God.
18:25. For it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
18:26. And they that heard it said: Who then can be saved?
18:27. He said to them: The things that are impossible with men are
possible with God.
18:28. Then Peter said: Behold, we have left all things and have
followed thee.
18:29. Who said to them: Amen, I say to you, there is no man that hath
left home or parents or brethren or wife or children, for the kingdom of
God's sake,
18:30. Who shall not receive much more in this present time, and in the
world to come life everlasting.
18:31. Then Jesus took unto him the twelve and said to them: Behold, we
go up to Jerusalem; and all things shall be accomplished which were
written by the prophets concerning the Son of man.
18:32. For he shall be delivered to the Gentiles and shall be mocked and
scourged and spit upon.
18:33. And after they have scourged him, they will put him to death. And
the third day he shall rise again.
18:34. And they understood none of these things, and this word was hid
from them: and they understood not the things that were said.
18:35. Now it came to pass, when he drew nigh to Jericho, that a certain
blind man sat by the way side, begging.
18:36. And when he heard the multitude passing by, he asked what this
meant.
18:37. And they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.
18:38. And he cried out, saying: Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.
18:39. And they that went before rebuked him, that he should hold his
peace: but he cried out much more: Son of David, have mercy on me.
18:40. And Jesus standing, commanded him to be brought unto him. And
when he was come near, he asked him,
18:41. Saying; What wilt thou that I do to thee? But he said: Lord, that
I may see.
18:42. And Jesus said to him: Receive thy sight: thy faith hath made
thee whole.
18:43. And immediately he saw and followed him, glorifying God. And all
the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.