1 And thar war comin till him aʼ the tax men and the ill‐deedie anes to hear him.
“For gin ye but loʼe whaur thar is love till yersel, whaur is yere meed? divna eʼen the reivin tax‐men do the same?
“And tent ye! some are hinmaist that sal be foremaist; and some are foremaist that sal be hinmaist.”
And aʼ the folk whan they heard — and the tax‐men — laudit God, bein bapteezʼt in Johnʼs bapteezin.
But Law cam in, that the offence micht be seen to exceed: but whaur offences exceedit, the tender‐love muckle mair exceedit.
Leal the word! and wordie oʼ aʼ takin‐till ane, “That Christ Jesus cam into the world, sinners to save!” oʼ wham a chieftain am I!