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Luke

Offers a detailed narrative of Jesus' life from birth to ascension, highlighting His compassion and focus on the marginalized.

Chapter 18

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1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

*He told them a story to teach that people should always pray and never give up.

2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

*A city had a judge who didn't fear God and didn't care about people.

3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

*In the city, there was a woman whose husband had passed away. She went to him and asked for help, saying she wanted him to take revenge on the person who was causing her trouble.

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

*He hesitated for some time, but later he thought to himself, "I don't worry about God or care what people think."

5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

*So since this widow is causing me problems, I will help her, so she doesn't wear me out with her constant visits.

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

*And God said, Listen to what the unfair judge is saying.

7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

*Will God not avenge his chosen people who pray all day and night to him, even though he is patient with them?

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

*He will quickly punish them, I assure you. But will the Son of Man find faith when He returns to Earth?

9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

*He told this story to some who thought they were good and looked down on others.

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

*Two people went to the temple to talk to God. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector.

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.

*The Pharisee stood and prayed, "God, I'm grateful I'm not like other people - they're dishonest, unfair, and unfaithful. I'm not like that publican either."

12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

*I skip meals two days a week, and I donate 10% of everything I have.

13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

*The publican, far away, wouldn't look at the sky and instead hit his chest, saying, "God, have mercy on me, I am a sinner."

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

*I'm telling you, this person was declared righteous and went home in a better position than the others. This is because when someone boasts about themselves, they will be brought down. But if someone is humble, they will be lifted up.

15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

*They brought babies to him for him to touch, but when his followers saw it, they scolded them.

16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

*But Jesus invited the kids to him and said, Let the little ones come to me and don't stop them; because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people like them.

17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

*Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't enter the kingdom of God with the trust and simplicity of a child won't be able to be a part of it."

18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

*A specific leader asked Jesus, "Kind teacher, what should I do to have everlasting life?"

19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

*Jesus asked, "Why do you call me good?" Nobody is truly good except for one person - God.

20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.

*You know the rules: Don't cheat on someone, don't kill, don't steal, don't lie, and respect your parents.

21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.

*He said, "I've kept all of these rules since I was young."

22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

*When Jesus heard this, he told the man, "You still need one more thing: give away everything you own to help the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven. Then, come and be my follower."

23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

*When he heard that, he became very sad because he was extremely wealthy.

24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

*When Jesus noticed how sad the man was, he said, It is hard for people with lots of money to enter God's kingdom.

25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

*It's harder for a rich person to enter heaven than for a camel to squeeze through a needle's eye.

26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?

*And those who heard it asked, Who can be saved now?

27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

*He said, "What's hard for people is easy for God."

28 Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.

*Then Peter said, "Look, we have given up everything and followed you."

29 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake,

*He told them, "I'm serious, nobody has left their home, family, or spouse and kids just for the kingdom of God, unless they really believe in it."

30 Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

*Who will not get much more now, and also eternal life in the future?

31 Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.

*Then he gathered the twelve and told them, "We're going to Jerusalem, and everything the prophets wrote about the Son of Man will happen."

32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:

*He will be handed over to non-Jews, made fun of, treated badly, and spat on.

33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.

*They will hurt him badly and kill him. But on the third day, he will come back to life.

34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

*They didn't understand any of this; the meaning was hidden from them, and they didn't know what was being said.

35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:

*One day, when Jesus was approaching the city of Jericho, he found a blind man sitting by the roadside asking for help.

36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.

*Hearing many people go by, he asked what was happening.

37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.

*They said to him, "Jesus of Nazareth is coming this way."

38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.

*He shouted, "Jesus, you Son of David, please be kind to me."

39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.

*Those who were ahead told him to be quiet, but he shouted even louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me."

40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,

*Jesus stood and ordered them to bring the man to him. When the man was close, Jesus asked him.

41 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.

*"Asking, What do you want me to do for you? He replied, Lord, just let me see again."

42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.

*And Jesus told him, "You can see now. Your belief saved you."

43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.

*Immediately, the man could see again and followed Jesus, praising God. Everyone saw this and praised God too.

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