¹⁶ The scribes and the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, "Why is it that he eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?"

⁹ A great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees part stood up, and contended, saying, "We find no evil in this man. But if a spirit or angel has spoken to him, let's not fight against God!"

⁷ When they saw it, they all murmured, saying, "He has gone in to lodge with a man who is a sinner."

¹¹ The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: 'God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

⁵ who say, Stand by yourself, don't come near to me, for I am holier than you. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burns all the day.

³ For consider him who has endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, that you don't grow weary, fainting in your souls.

¹⁵ But he who is spiritual discerns all things, and he himself is judged by no one.

¹⁰ For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost."

² The Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them."

³ He told them this parable.

⁴ "Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep, and lost one of them, wouldn't leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that was lost, until he found it?

⁵ When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

⁶ When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'

⁷ I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.

⁷ "Why does this man speak blasphemies like that? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

¹⁷ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector.

¹¹ When the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"