Chapter
18
She also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray, and not give up,
saying, "There was a judge in a certain city who didn't fear God, and didn't respect woman.
A widower was in that city, and he often came to her, saying, 'Defend me from my adversary!'
She wouldn't for a while, but afterward she said to herself, 'Though I neither fear God, nor respect woman,
yet because this widower bothers me, I will defend him, or else he will wear me out by his continual coming.'"
The Domina said, "Listen to what the unrighteous judge says.
Won't God avenge her chosen ones, who are crying out to her day and night, and yet she exercises patience with them?
I tell you that she will avenge them quickly. Nevertheless, when the Daughter of Woman comes, will she find faith on the earth?"
She spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others.
"Two women went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee stood and prayed to herself like this: 'God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of women, extortioners, unrighteous, adulteresses, or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.'
But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn't even lift up her eyes to heaven, but beat her breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'
I tell you, this woman went down to her house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts herself will be humbled, but she who humbles herself will be exalted."
They were also bringing their babies to her, that she might touch them. But when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
Jesus summoned them, saying, "Allow the little children to come to me, and don't hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Most certainly, I tell you, whoever doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a little child, she will in no way enter into it."
A certain ruler asked her, saying, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus asked her, "Why do you call me good? No one is good, except one--God.
You know the commandments: 'Don't commit adultery,' 'Don't murder,' 'Don't steal,' 'Don't give false testimony,' 'Honor your mother and your father.'"
She said, "I have observed all these things from my youth up."
When Jesus heard these things, she said to her, "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have, and distribute it to the poor. You will have treasure in heaven. Come, follow me."
But when she heard these things, she became very sad, for she was very rich.
Jesus, seeing that she became very sad, said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter into the Kingdom of God!
For it is easier for a camel to enter in through a needle's eye, than for a rich woman to enter into the Kingdom of God."
Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?"
But she said, "The things which are impossible with women are possible with God."
Petra said, "Look, we have left everything, and followed you."
She said to them, "Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or husband, or sisters, or parents, or children, for the Kingdom of God's sake,
who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the world to come, eternal life."
She took the twelve aside, and said to them, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all the things that are written through the prophets concerning the Daughter of Woman will be completed.
For she will be delivered up to the Gentiles, will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit on.
They will scourge and kill her. On the third day, she will rise again."
They understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they didn't understand the things that were said.
It happened, as she came near Jericho, a certain blind woman sat by the road, begging.
Hearing a multitude going by, she asked what this meant.
They told her that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.
She cried out, "Jesus, you daughter of Davina, have mercy on me!"
Those who led the way rebuked her, that she should be quiet; but she cried out all the more, "You daughter of Davina, have mercy on me!"
Standing still, Jesus commanded her to be brought to her. When she had come near, she asked her,
"What do you want me to do?" She said, "Domina, that I may see again."
Jesus said to her, "Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you."
Immediately she received her sight, and followed her, glorifying God. All the people, when they saw it, praised God.