And there was a womanin the citywhowas a sinner;and when she learnedthat He was reclining[at the table] in the Pharisee'shouse,she broughtan alabaster vialof perfume,
"Whichof the twodidthe willof his father?"They said,"The first."Jesussaidto them, "TrulyI sayto you that the tax collectorsand prostituteswill getinto the kingdomof Godbeforeyou.
"But the tax collector,standingsome distance away,was evenunwillingto liftup his eyesto heaven,but was beatinghis breast,saying,'God,be mercifulto me, the sinner!'
When they sawit, they all[began] to grumble,saying,"He has goneto be the guestof a manwho is a sinner."
The Phariseesand their scribes[began] grumblingat His disciples,saying,"Whydo you eatand drinkwith the tax collectorsand sinners?"
"I have not cometo callthe righteousbut sinnersto repentance."
"The Sonof Manhas comeeatingand drinking,and you say,'Behold,a gluttonousmanand a drunkard,a friendof tax collectorsand sinners!'
Nowoneof the Phariseeswas requestingHim to dinewith him, and He enteredthe Pharisee'shouseand reclined[at the table].
It was the Marywho anointedthe Lordwith ointment,and wipedHis feetwith her hair,whosebrotherLazaruswas sick.
Soa second timethey calledthe manwhohad beenblind,and saidto him, "Givegloryto God;we knowthat thismanis a sinner."
"We knowthat Goddoes not hearsinners;but ifanyoneis God-fearingand doesHis will,He hearshim.
But GoddemonstratesHis ownlovetowardus, in that while we were yetsinners,Christdiedfor us.
It is a trustworthystatement,deservingfullacceptance,that ChristJesuscameinto the worldto savesinners,among whomI amforemost[of all].
realizingthe factthat lawis not madefor a righteous person,but for those who are lawlessand rebellious,for the ungodlyand sinners,for the unholyand profane,for those who killtheir fathersormothers,for murderers
AND IFIT IS WITH DIFFICULTYTHAT THE RIGHTEOUSIS SAVED,WHATWILL BECOMEOF THE GODLESS MANAND THE SINNER?
