One day Jesus talked to some people. They thought they were righteous. They thought they were better than other people. They hated other people. Jesus did not want them to think they were better than other people. So he told them a story.

Luke 18:9

Two men went to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee. The other was a publican. People had to pay tax money to the publicans. Sometimes the publicans took too much money. The people did not like the publicans.

Luke 18:10

The Pharisee stood up to pray. He thanked God he was better than other men. He said he fasted two times each week. He paid more tithing than other people. The publican stood by himself. His prayer was not like the Pharisee’s prayer. The publican bowed his head to pray. He was sorry for his sins. He asked God to forgive him.

Luke 18:11–13

Jesus said the Pharisee thought he was better than other men. The Pharisee thought he had no sins. He thought he did not need help from God. Jesus said the publican knew he had sinned. The publican wanted to repent. He prayed that God would forgive him. He wanted to be more righteous.

Luke 18:14

Jesus said the publican would be forgiven. The Pharisee would not. Jesus said people should be like the publican. They should not think they are better than other people. They should repent of their sins. They should ask God to forgive them. They should try to be more righteous.

Luke 18:14