¹⁶ And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was taking food with the tax-farmers and sinners, said to his disciples, Why does he take food and drink with such men?

⁹ And there was a great outcry: and some of the scribes on the side of the Pharisees got up and took part in the discussion, saying, We see no evil in this man: what if he has had a revelation from an angel or a spirit?

⁷ And when they saw it, they were all angry, saying, He has gone into the house of a sinner.

¹¹ The Pharisee, taking up his position, said to himself these words: God, I give you praise because I am not like other men, who take more than their right, who are evil-doers, who are untrue to their wives, or even like this tax-farmer.

⁵ Who say, Keep away, do not come near me, for fear that I make you holy: these are a smoke in my nose, a fire burning all day.

³ Give thought to him who has undergone so much of the hate of sinners against himself, so that you may not be tired and feeble of purpose.

¹⁵ But he who has the Spirit, though judging all things, is himself judged by no one.

¹⁰ For the Son of man came to make search for those who are wandering from the way, and to be their Saviour.

² And the Pharisees and scribes were angry, saying, This man gives approval to sinners, and takes food with them.

³ And he made a story for them, saying,

⁴ What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if one of them gets loose and goes away, will not let the ninety-nine be in the waste land by themselves, and go after the wandering one, till he sees where it is?

⁵ And when he has got it again, he takes it in his arms with joy.

⁶ And when he gets back to his house, he sends for his neighbours and friends, saying to them, Be glad with me, for I have got back my sheep which had gone away.

⁷ I say to you that even so there will be more joy in heaven when one sinner is turned away from his wrongdoing, than for ninety-nine good men, who have no need of a change of heart.

⁷ Why does this man say such things? he has no respect for God: from whom does forgiveness come but from God only?

¹⁷ And if he will not give ear to them, let it come to the hearing of the church: and if he will not give ear to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax-farmer.

¹¹ And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, Why does your Master take food with tax-farmers and sinners?