Luke 18:1-11

1 Then Jesus used this story to teach his followers that they should always pray and never lose hope.

2 "In a certain town there was a judge who did not respect God or care about people.

3 In that same town there was a widow who kept coming to this judge, saying, 'Give me my rights against my enemy.'

4 For a while the judge refused to help her. But afterwards, he thought to himself, 'Even though I don't respect God or care about people,

5 I will see that she gets her rights. Otherwise she will continue to bother me until I am worn out.'"

6 The Lord said, "Listen to what the unfair judge said.

7 God will always give what is right to his people who cry to him night and day, and he will not be slow to answer them.

8 I tell you, God will help his people quickly. But when the Son of Man comes again, will he find those on earth who believe in him?"

9 Jesus told this story to some people who thought they were very good and looked down on everyone else:

10 "A Pharisee and a tax collector both went to the Temple to pray.

11 The Pharisee stood alone and prayed, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people who steal, cheat, or take part in adultery, or even like this tax collector.