7. God’s people shout to him night and day, and he will always give them what is right. He will not be slow to answer them.
8. I tell you, God will help his people quickly. But when the Son of Man comes again, will he find people on earth who believe in him?”
9. There were some people who thought they were very good and looked down on everyone else. Jesus used this story to teach them:
10. “One time there was a Pharisee and a tax collector. One day they both went to the Temple to pray.
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?”