Luke 18:4-14

4 For a long time he refused; but after awhile, he said to himself, `I don't fear God, and I don't respect other people;

5 but because this widow is such a nudnik, I will see to it that she gets justice -- otherwise, she'll keep coming and pestering me till she wears me out!'"

6 Then the Lord commented, "Notice what this corrupt judge says.

7 Now won't God grant justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Is he delaying long over them?

8 I tell you that he will judge in their favor, and quickly! But when the Son of Man comes, will he find this trust on the earth at all?"

9 Also, to some who were relying on their own righteousness and looking down on everyone else, he told this parable:

10 "Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Parush and the other a tax-collector.

11 The Parush stood and prayed to himself, `O God! I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity -- greedy, dishonest, immoral, or like this tax-collector!

12 I fast twice a week, I pay tithes on my entire income, . . . '

13 But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even raise his eyes toward heaven, but beat his breast and said, `God! Have mercy on me, sinner that I am!'

14 I tell you, this man went down to his home right with God rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but everyone who humbles himself will be exalted."