God, Be Merciful to Me

9And he also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and treated the rest with contempt:

10Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

11The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying these things: ‘God, 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 tithe everything I acquire.

13But the tax collector, standing far off, was not willing even to lift up his eyes to heaven, but kept beating his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner.’

14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.