1Then he spoke a parable to them about how they should always pray and not become discouraged,

2saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect people.

3Now there was a widow in that city, and she came often to him, saying, 'Help me get justice against my opponent.'

4For a long time he was not willing to help her, but after a while he said to himself, 'Though I do not fear God or respect man,

5yet because this widow causes me trouble, I will help her get justice, so that she does not wear me out by her constant coming.'”

6Then the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says.

7Now will not God also bring justice to his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?

8I say to you that he will bring justice to them speedily. Even so, when the Son of Man comes, will he indeed find faith on the earth?”

9Then he also spoke this parable to some who were persuaded in themselves that they were righteous and who despised other people,

10“Two men went up into the temple to pray—the one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.

11The Pharisee stood and prayed these things about himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, unrighteous people, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.

12I fast two times every week. I give tithes of all that I get.'

13But the tax collector, standing at a distance, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but hit his breast, saying, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'

14I say to you, this man went back down to his house justified rather than the other, because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but everyone who humbles himself will be exalted.”

15The people were also bringing to him their infants so that he might touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

16But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Permit the little children to come to me, and do not forbid them. For the kingdom of God belongs to such ones.

17Truly I say to you, whoever will not receive the kingdom of God like a child will definitely not enter it.”

18A certain ruler asked him, saying, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

19Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good, except God alone.

20You know the commandments—do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not testify falsely, honor your father and mother.”

21The ruler said, “All these things I have obeyed from the time I was a youth.”

22When Jesus heard that, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. You must sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven—and come, follow me.”

23But when the ruler heard these things, he became extremely sad, for he was very rich.

24Then Jesus, seeing him, became very sad ⁷and said, “How difficult it is for those who are rich to enter the kingdom of God!

25For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

26Those hearing it said, “Then who can be saved?”

27Jesus answered, “The things which are impossible with people are possible with God.”

28Peter said, “Well, we have left everything that is our own and have followed you.”

29Jesus then said to them, “Truly, I say to you that there is no one who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God,

30who will not receive much more in this world, and in the world to come, eternal life.”

31After he gathered the twelve to himself, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all the things that have been written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished.

32For he will be given over to the Gentiles, and will be mocked, and shamefully treated, and spit upon.

33After whipping him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise again.”

34They understood none of these things, and this word was hidden from them, and they did not understand the things that were said.

35It came about that, as Jesus approached Jericho, a certain blind man was sitting by the road begging,

36and hearing a crowd going by, he asked what was happening.

37They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.

38So the blind man cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.”

39The ones who were walking ahead rebuked the blind man, telling him to be quiet. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me.”

40Jesus stood still and commanded that the man be brought to him. Then when the blind man was near, Jesus asked him,

41“What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, I want to receive my sight.”

42Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you.”

43Immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God. All the people, when they saw this, gave praise to God.