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Berean Standard Bible

“But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’”

Luke 18:13

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Study note

Jesus told this parable to some who trusted in their own righteousness and looked down on others. Two men went up to the temple to pray: a Pharisee, respected for his devotion, and a tax collector, despised as a collaborator and cheat.

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Compare translations

Berean Standard Bible (BSB)

But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’

World English Bible (WEB)

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!’

King James Version (KJV)

And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

American Standard Version (ASV)

But the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be thou merciful to me a sinner.

Bible in Basic English (BBE)

The tax-farmer, on the other hand, keeping far away, and not lifting up even his eyes to heaven, made signs of grief and said, God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

'And the tax-gatherer, having stood afar off, would not even the eyes lift up to the heaven, but was smiting on his breast, saying, God be propitious to me -- the sinner!

Reina-Valera 1909 (RVR 1909)

Mas el publicano estando lejos no quería ni aun alzar los ojos al cielo, sino que hería su pecho, diciendo: Dios, sé propicio á mí pecador.

Sagradas Escrituras 1569 (SE 1569)

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Nueva Biblia Viva (NBV)

El cobrador de impuestos, en cambio, se quedó a cierta distancia y ni siquiera se atrevía a levantar los ojos al cielo. Se golpeaba el pecho y decía: “¡Dios mío, ten compasión de mí, que soy pecador!”.

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