Luke 18:9-19

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else:

10 "Two men went up to the temple complex to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

11 The Pharisee took his stand ^[a] and was praying like this: 'God, I thank You that I'm not like other people ^[b] -greedy, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth ^[c] of everything I get.'

13 "But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even raise his eyes to heaven but kept striking his chest ^[d] and saying, 'God, turn Your wrath from me ^[e] -a sinner!'

14 I tell you, this one went down to his house justified rather than the other; because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

Blessing the Children

15 Some people were even bringing infants to Him so He might touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

16 Jesus, however, invited them: "Let the little children come to Me, and don't stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

17 I assure you: Whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

The Rich Young Ruler

18 A ruler asked Him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

19 "Why do you call Me good?" Jesus asked him. "No one is good but One-God.