018:003 And in the same town was a widow who repeatedly came and
entreated him, saying, "`Give me justice and stop my oppressor.'
018:004 "For a time he would not, but afterwards he said to himself,
"`Though I have neither reverence for God nor respect for man,
018:005 yet because she annoys me I will give her justice, to prevent
her from constantly coming to pester me.'"
018:006 And the Lord said, "Hear those words of the unjust judge.
018:007 And will not God avenge the wrongs of His own People who cry
aloud to Him day and night, although He seems slow in taking
action on their behalf?
018:008 Yes, He will soon avenge their wrongs. Yet, when the Son
of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?"
018:009 And to some who relied on themselves as being righteous men,
and looked down upon all others, He addressed this parable.
018:010 "Two men went up to the Temple to pray," He said; "one being
a Pharisee and the other a tax-gatherer.
018:011 The Pharisee, standing erect, prayed as follows by himself:
"`O God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people--
I am not a thief nor a cheat nor an adulterer, nor do I
even resemble this tax-gatherer.
018:012 I fast twice a week. I pay the tithe on all my gains.'
018:013 "But the tax-gatherer, standing far back, would not so much as lift
his eyes to Heaven, but kept beating his breast and saying,
"`O God, be reconciled to me, sinner that I am.'
018:014 "I tell you that this man went home more thoroughly absolved
from guilt than the other; for every one who uplifts himself
will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be uplifted."
018:015 On one occasion people also brought with them their infants,
for Him to touch them; but the disciples, noticing this,
proceeded to find fault with them.