‘Isa also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray, and not give up, 2saying, “There was a judge in a certain city who didn’t fear Allah, and didn’t respect man. 3A widow was in that city, and she often came to him, saying, ‘Defend me from my adversary!’ 4He wouldn’t for a while, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear Allah, nor respect man, 5yet because this widow bothers me, I will defend her, or else she will wear me out by her continual coming.‘”
6The Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge says. 7Won’t Allah avenge his chosen ones, who are crying out to him day and night, and yet he exercises patience with them? 8I tell you that he will avenge them quickly. Nevertheless, when Ibn Adam comes, will he find faith on the earth?“
9He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others. 10“Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: ‘Allah, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘Allah, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.“
15They were also bringing their babies to him, that he might touch them. But when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16‘Isa summoned them, saying, “Allow the little children to come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of Allah belongs to such as these. 17Most assuredly, I tell you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of Allah like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.“
18A certain ruler asked him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?“
19‘Isa asked him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good, except one–Allah. 20You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not give false testimony,’ ‘Honour your father and your mother.‘“[1]
21He said, “I have observed all these things from my youth up.“
22When ‘Isa heard these things, he said to him, “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.“
23But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was very rich.
24‘Isa, seeing that he became very sad, said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter into the Kingdom of Allah! 25For it is easier for a camel to enter in through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of Allah.“
26Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?“
27But he said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with Allah.“
28Peter said, “Look, we have left everything, and followed you.“
29He said to them, “Most assuredly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children, for the Kingdom of Allah’s sake, 30who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the world to come, eternal life.“
31He 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 Ibn Adam will be completed. 32For he will be delivered up to foreigners, will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit on. 33They will scourge and kill him. On the third day, he will rise again.“
34They understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they didn’t understand the things that were said. 35It happened, as he came near Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the road, begging. 36Hearing a multitude going by, he asked what this meant. 37They told him that ‘Isa the Nasrani[2] was passing by. 38He cried out, “‘Isa Ibn Dawud, have mercy on me!“ 39Those who led the way rebuked him, that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Ibn Dawud, have mercy on me!“
40Standing still, ‘Isa commanded him to be brought to him. When he had come near, he asked him, 41“What do you want me to do?“
He said, “Lord, that I may see again.“
42‘Isa said to him, “Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you.“
43Immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying Allah. All the people, when they saw it, praised Allah.
[1] 18:20 Quoting the Taurat, Exodus 20:12-16.
[2] 18:37 The Greek Injil says “Nazoraios,“ the meaning of which is connected with “Nazareth“ (see Matthew 2:23). Nazareth is an ancient city in the northern regions of Palestine.