Luke 18:1-11

1 And he spoke a parable unto them to this end, that it behooves us always to pray and not faint,

2 saying, There was in a city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man;

3 and there was a widow in that city, and she came unto him, saying, Defend me from my adversary.

4 And he would not for a while, but afterward he said within himself, Though I do not fear God, nor regard man,

5 yet because this widow troubles me, I will do her justice, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge says.

7 And shall not God avenge his own elect who cry day and night unto him though he bears long regarding them?

8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man comes, shall he find faith on the earth?

9 And he spoke this parable unto some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others:

10 Two men went up into the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee that I am not as other men are: extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.