Now the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners were everywhere in the habit of coming close to Him to listen to Him;
For if you love only those who love you, what reward have you earned? Do not even the tax-gatherers do that?
And I tell you that some now last will then be first, and some now first will then be last.«
And all the people, including the tax-gatherers, when they listened to him upheld the righteousness of God, by being baptized with John's baptism.
Now Law was brought in later on, so that transgression might increase. But where sin increased, grace has overflowed;
Faithful is the saying, and deserving of universal acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; among whom I stand foremost.