Jesus spoke a parable to some
who trusted in themselves, they were the ones
Who thought they were the righteous brothers
and went around despising others
Two men, they went out one day
They both went to the Temple to pray
One a Pharisee, a teacher of the law
and a tax-collector, who stole from the poor
The Pharisee stood and began to pray
He prayed with himself in his usual way
“God I thank you today again
That I am not like other men-
robbers, evildoers, adulterers-
or even like this tax collector
I fast each week not once but twice
And of all that I possess I give tithes.”
The tax-collector then began to pray
As he stood a distance away
His eyes to heaven he wouldn’t even raise
But beat his breast and began to say
“God will you be merciful to me
even though a sinner I be”
I’ll tell you something about these men
As they went down to their houses again
The tax-collector was justified
but for the other it was denied
Because all those who themselves exalt
Will be humbled for their fault
But whoever humbles himself is he
who will be exalted for all to see
