7. "God's chosen people cry out to him day and night. Won't he make things right for them? Will he keep putting them off?
8. I tell you, God will see that things are made right for them. He will make sure it happens quickly. "But when the Son of Man comes, will he find people on earth who have faith?"
9. Jesus told a story to some people who were sure they were right with God. They looked down on everybody else.
10. He said to them, "Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee. The other was a tax collector.
11. "The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself. 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people,' he said. 'I am not like robbers or those who do other evil things. I am not like those who commit adultery. I am not even like this tax collector.
12. I fast twice a week. And I give a tenth of all I get.'
13. "But the tax collector stood not very far away. He would not even look up to heaven. He beat his chest and said, 'God, have mercy on me. I am a sinner.'
14. "I tell you, the tax collector went home accepted by God. But not the Pharisee. Everyone who lifts himself up will be brought down. And anyone who is brought down will be lifted up."
15. People were also bringing babies to Jesus. They wanted him to touch them. When the disciples saw this, they told the people to stop.
16. But Jesus asked the children to come to him. "Let the little children come to me," he said. "Don't keep them away. God's kingdom belongs to people like them.
17. What I'm about to tell you is true. Anyone who will not receive God's kingdom like a little child will never enter it."
18. A certain ruler asked Jesus a question. "Good teacher," he said, "what must I do to receive eternal life?"
19. "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good except God.
20. You know what the commandments say. 'Do not commit adultery. Do not commit murder. Do not steal. Do not give false witness. Honor your father and mother.' " (Exodus 20:12-16; Deuteronomy 5:16-20)
21. "I have obeyed all those commandments since I was a boy," the ruler said.
22. When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You are still missing one thing. Sell everything you have. Give the money to those who are poor. You will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me."
23. When the ruler heard this, he became very sad. He was very rich.