11. The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself with these words, ‘God, I thank you that I’m not like everyone else—crooks, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.
12. I fast twice a week. I give a tenth of everything I receive.’
13. But the tax collector stood at a distance. He wouldn’t even lift his eyes to look toward heaven. Rather, he struck his chest and said, ‘God, show mercy to me, a sinner.’
14. I tell you, this person went down to his home justified rather than the Pharisee. All who lift themselves up will be brought low, and those who make themselves low will be lifted up."
15. People were bringing babies to Jesus so that he would bless them. When the disciples saw this, they scolded them.
16. Then Jesus called them to him and said, "Allow the children to come to me. Don’t forbid them, because God’s kingdom belongs to people like these children.
17. I assure you that whoever doesn’t welcome God’s kingdom like a child will never enter it."
18. A certain ruler asked Jesus, "Good Teacher, what must I do to obtain eternal life?"
19. Jesus replied, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except the one God.
20. You know the commandments: Don’t commit adultery. Don’t murder. Don’t steal. Don’t give false testimony. Honor your father and mother."
21. Then the ruler said, "I’ve kept all of these things since I was a boy."
22. When Jesus heard this, he said, "There’s one more thing. Sell everything you own and distribute the money to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me."
23. When he heard these words, the man became sad because he was extremely rich.
24. When Jesus saw this, he said, "It’s very hard for the wealthy to enter God’s kingdom!
25. It’s easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom."
26. Those who heard this said, "Then who can be saved?"