Two men went up into the temple to pray ; the one a Pharisee , and the other a Publican .  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself ; God , I thank thee , that I am not as other men are , extortioners , unjust , adulterers , or even as this Publican .  I fast twice in the week , I give tithes of all that I possess .  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 .—Luke, xviii. 10