Part 13

007:030 But the Pharisees and expounders of the Law have frustrated God's purpose as to their own lives, by refusing to be baptized.

007:031 "To what then shall I compare the men of the present generation, and what do they resemble?

007:032 They are like children sitting in the public square and calling out to one another, `We have played the flute to you, and you have not danced: we have sung dirges, and you have not shown sorrow.'

007:033 For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, `He has a demon!'

007:034 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, `Look, there is a man who is overfond of eating and drinking-- he is a friend of tax-gatherers and notorious sinners!'

007:035 But wisdom is justified by all who are truly wise."

007:036 Now one of the Pharisees repeatedly invited Him to a meal at his house; so He entered the house and reclined at the table.

007:037 And there was a woman in the town who was a notorious sinner. Having learnt that Jesus was at table in the Pharisee's house she brought a flask of perfume,

007:038 and, standing behind close to His feet, weeping, began to wet His feet with her tears; and with her hair she wiped the tears away again, while she lovingly kissed His feet and poured the perfume over them.

007:039 Noticing this, the Pharisee, His host, said to himself, "This man, if he were really a Prophet, would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching him-- and would know that she is an immoral woman."

007:040 In answer to his thoughts Jesus said to him, "Simon, I have a word to say to you." "Rabbi, say on," he replied.

007:041 "There were once two men in debt to one money-lender," said Jesus; "one owed him five hundred shillings and the other fifty.

007:042 But neither of them could pay anything; so he freely forgave them both. Tell me, then, which of them will love him most?"

007:043 "I suppose," replied Simon, "the one to whom he forgave most." "You have judged rightly," Jesus rejoined.

007:044 Then turning towards the woman He said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house: you gave me no water for my feet; but she has made my feet wet with her tears, and then wiped the tears away with her hair.

007:045 No kiss did you give me; but she from the moment I came in has not left off tenderly kissing my feet.

007:046 No oil did you pour even on my head; but she has poured perfume upon my feet.

007:047 This is the reason why I tell you that her sins, her many sins, are forgiven--because she has loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little."

007:048 And He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

007:049 Then the other guests began to say to themselves, "Who can this man be who even forgives sins?"

007:050 But He said to the woman, "Your faith has cured you: go, and be at peace."

008:001 Shortly after this He visited town after town, and village after village, proclaiming His Message and telling the Good News of the Kingdom of God. The Twelve were with Him,

008:002 and certain women whom He had delivered from evil spirits and various diseases--Mary of Magdala, out of whom seven demons had come,

008:003 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many other women, all of whom contributed to the support of Jesus and His Apostles.

008:004 And when a great crowd was assembling, and was receiving additions from one town after another, He spoke a parable to them.

008:005 "The sower," He said, "goes out to sow his seed; and as he sows, some of the seed falls by the way-side, and is trodden upon, or the birds of the air come and peck it up.

008:006 Another part drops upon the rock, and after growing up it withers away for want of moisture.

008:007 Another part falls among the thorns, and the thorns grow up with it and stifle it.