A paraphrase (with liberty)...
There were those who had their act together, were considered stalwarts in the church, and were confident of their spiritual status. To these Jesus told this story:
"There were two men who showed up in church one Sunday morning, a church elder and a sinner. The elder got up in front of everyone and prayed: 'O Gracious and Mighty God, we are so blessed that we are not like those sinners around us - people who smoke, drink, go to dances and carouse all night. Bring judgement on those liberals who would take away our freedoms and raise our taxes. We faithfully go to church and give our tithes and offerings. Thank you that Thou hast kept us from being like these awful sinners.
The sinner in church that Sunday bowed his head in despair. "God, I beg you to have mercy on me! I am a sinner, forgive me."
There were those who had their act together, were considered stalwarts in the church, and were confident of their spiritual status. To these Jesus told this story:
"There were two men who showed up in church one Sunday morning, a church elder and a sinner. The elder got up in front of everyone and prayed: 'O Gracious and Mighty God, we are so blessed that we are not like those sinners around us - people who smoke, drink, go to dances and carouse all night. Bring judgement on those liberals who would take away our freedoms and raise our taxes. We faithfully go to church and give our tithes and offerings. Thank you that Thou hast kept us from being like these awful sinners.
The sinner in church that Sunday bowed his head in despair. "God, I beg you to have mercy on me! I am a sinner, forgive me."
14“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
- Luke 18:9-14
1“Come, let us return to the LORD.
3Let us acknowledge the LORD;
let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises,
he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth.”
let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises,
he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth.”
6For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
- Hosea 6
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