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Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,
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saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man.
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Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, 'Get justice for me from my adversary.'
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And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man,
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yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.' "
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Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said.
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And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?
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I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"
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Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
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"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
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The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men--extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.
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I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.'
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And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'
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I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
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Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
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But Jesus called them to Him and said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.
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Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."