Luke 18:1-8

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

1 He then told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not become discouraged:

2 "There was a judge in one town who didn't fear God or respect man.

3 And a widow in that town kept coming to him, saying, 'Give me justice against my adversary.'

4 "For a while he was unwilling, but later he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or respect man,

5 yet because this widow keeps pestering me, ^[a] I will give her justice, so she doesn't wear me out ^[b] by her persistent coming.' "

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

7 Will not God grant justice to His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay [to help] them? ^[c]

8 I tell you that He will swiftly grant them justice. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find that faith ^[d] on earth?"

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit widow causes me trouble
• [b]. Or doesn't give me a black eye, or doesn't ruin my reputation
• [c]. Or Will He put up with them?
• [d]. Or faith, or that kind of faith, or any faith, or the faith, or faithfulness; the faith that persists in prayer for God's vindication