When the scribesof the Phariseessawthat He was eatingwith the sinnersand taxcollectors,they saidto His disciples,"Whyis He eatingand drinkingwith tax collectorsand sinners?"
"Who say,Keepto yourself, do not comenearme, For I am holierthan you!' Theseare smokein My nostrils,A firethat burnsallthe day.
"Ifhe refusesto listento them, tellit to the church;and ifhe refuses to listenevento the church,let him be to you as a Gentileand a tax collector.
"For ifyou lovethosewho loveyou, whatrewarddoyou have?Do not eventhe tax collectorsdothe same?
When the Phariseessaw[this], they saidto His disciples,"Whyis your Teachereatingwith the tax collectorsand sinners?"
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.
"Whydoes this manspeakthat way?He is blaspheming;whocanforgivesinsbut Godalone?"
"The Phariseestoodand was prayingthisto himself:'God,I thankYou that I amnot likeother people:swindlers,unjust,adulterers,orevenlikethistax collector.
"For the Sonof Manhas cometo seekand to savethat which was lost."
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?"
And there occurreda greatuproar;and someof the scribesof the Pharisaicpartystoodup and [began] to argue heatedly,saying,"We findnothingwrongwith thisman;supposea spiritoran angelhas spokento him?"
But he who is spiritualappraisesall things,yethe himselfis appraisedby no one.
For considerHim who has enduredsuchhostilityby sinnersagainstHimself,sothat you will not grow wearyand loseheart.
