Study Desk

Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ^(C1)ought to pray and not ^(C2)become discouraged,

saying, "In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not ^(C1)respect any person.

"Now there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, 'Give me justice against my ^(F1)opponent.'

"For a while he was unwilling; but later he said to himself, 'Even though I do not fear God nor ^(C1)respect any person,

yet ^(C1)because this widow is bothering me, I will give her justice; otherwise ^(F1)by continually coming she will ^(C2)wear me out.'"

And ^(C1)the Lord said, "Listen to what the unrighteous judge ^(*)said;

now, will God not ^(C1)bring about justice for His ^(C2)elect who cry out to Him day ^(F1)and night, and will He ^(C3)delay long for them?

"I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, ^(C1)will He find ^(F1)faith on the earth?"

Now He also told this parable to some people who ^(C1)trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and ^(C2)viewed others with contempt:

"Two men ^(C1)went up into the ^(F1)temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

"The Pharisee ^(C1)stood and began praying this in regard to himself: 'God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, crooked, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

'I ^(C1)fast twice a week; I ^(C2)pay tithes of all that I get.'

"But the tax collector, ^(C1)standing some distance away, ^(C2)was even unwilling to raise his eyes toward heaven, but ^(C3)was beating his chest, saying, 'God, be ^(F1)merciful to me, the sinner!'

"I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other one; ^(C1)for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

^(C1)Now they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them.

But Jesus called for ^(F1)the little ones, saying, "Allow the children to come to Me, and do not ^(F2)forbid them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

"Truly I say to you, ^(C1)whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all."