13. The tax collector, however, stood far off and would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, be merciful to me, sinner that I am!’
14. I tell you that this man went down to his home justified rather than the Pharisee. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
15. Now people were even bringing their babies to him for him to touch. But when the disciples saw it, they began to scold those who brought them.
16. But Jesus called for the children, saying, “Let the little children come to me and do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
17. I tell you the truth, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”
18. Now a certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
19. Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.
20. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’”
21. The man replied, “I have wholeheartedly obeyed all these laws since my youth.”