Discourse on the Kingdom and Other Parables

He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray, and not give up,

I 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.”

Won’t God avenge his chosen ones, who are crying out to him day and night, and yet he exercises patience with them?

But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’

Whoever seeks to save his life loses it, but whoever loses his life preserves it.

The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: ‘God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortionists, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.