11. The Pharisee stood alone, away from the tax collector. When the Pharisee prayed, he said, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not as bad as other people. I am not like men who steal, cheat, or commit adultery. I thank you that I am better than this tax collector.
12. I fast twice a week, and I give a tenth of everything I get!’
13. “The tax collector stood alone too. But when he prayed, he would not even look up to heaven. He felt very humble before God. He said, ‘O God, have mercy on me. I am a sinner!’
14. I tell you, when this man finished his prayer and went home, he was right with God. But the Pharisee, who felt that he was better than others, was not right with God. People who make themselves important will be made humble. But those who make themselves humble will be made important.”
15. Some people brought their small children to Jesus so that he could lay his hands on them to bless them. But when the followers saw this, they told the people not to do this.
16. But Jesus called the little children to him and said to his followers, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because God’s kingdom belongs to people who are like these little children.
17. The truth is, you must accept God’s kingdom like a little child accepts things, or you will never enter it.”
18. A religious leader asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what must I do to get eternal life?”
19. Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? Only God is good.
20. And you know his commands: ‘You must not commit adultery, you must not murder anyone, you must not steal, you must not tell lies about others, you must respect your father and mother ….’”
21. But the leader said, “I have obeyed all these commands since I was a boy.”
22. When Jesus heard this, he said to the leader, “But there is still one thing you need to do. Sell everything you have and give the money to those who are poor. You will have riches in heaven. Then come and follow me.”
23. But when the man heard Jesus tell him to give away his money, he was sad. He didn’t want to do this, because he was very rich.