10. “One day there was a Pharisee and a tax collector. Both went to the Temple to pray.
11. The Pharisee stood alone, away from the tax collector. When the Pharisee prayed, he said, ‘God, I thank you that I am not as bad as other people. I am not like men who steal, cheat, or take part in adultery. I thank you that I am better than this tax collector.
12. I give up eating twice a week, and I give one-tenth of everything I earn!’
13. “The tax collector stood at a distance. When he prayed, he would not even look up to heaven. He beat on his chest because he was so sad. He said, ‘God, have mercy on me. I am a sinner!’
14. I tell you, when this man went home, he was right with God. But the Pharisee was not right with God. Everyone who makes himself great will be made humble. But everyone who makes himself humble will be made great.”
15. Some people brought their small children to Jesus so that he could touch them. 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 the kingdom of God belongs to people who are like these little children.
17. I tell you the truth. You must accept God’s kingdom like a little child, or you will never enter it!”
18. A Jewish leader asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what must I do to get the life that continues forever?”
19. Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? Only God is good.
20. You know the commands: ‘You must not be guilty of adultery. You must not murder anyone. You must not steal. You must not tell lies about your neighbor in court. Honor 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 him, “But there is still one more thing you need to do. Sell everything you have and give the money to the poor. You will have a reward in heaven. Then come and follow me!”
23. But when the man heard this, he became very sad because he was very rich.
24. When Jesus saw that the man was sad, he said, “It will be very hard for rich people to enter the kingdom of God!