And it happenedthat He was reclining[at the table] in his house,and manytax collectorsand sinnerswere diningwith Jesusand His disciples;for there were manyof them, and they were followingHim.
"For ifyou lovethosewho loveyou, whatrewarddoyou have?Do not eventhe tax collectorsdothe same?
As He passedby, He sawLevithe [son] of Alphaeussittingin the tax booth,and He saidto him, "FollowMe!" And he gotup and followedHim.
When the scribesof the Phariseessawthat He was eatingwith the sinnersand taxcollectors,they saidto His disciples,"Whyis He eatingand drinkingwith tax collectorsand sinners?"
Nowallthe tax collectorsand the sinnerswere coming nearHim to listento Him.
Jesus came downwith them and stoodon a levelplace;and [there was] a largecrowdof His disciples,and a greatthrongof peoplefrom allJudeaand Jerusalemand the coastal regionof Tyreand Sidon,
