24. And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? a reed shaken with the wind?
25. But what went ye out to see? a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts.
26. But what went ye out to see? a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.
27. This is he of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Who shall prepare thy way before thee.
28. I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there is none greater than John: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
29. And all the people when they heard, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
30. But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected for themselves the counsel of God, being not baptized of him.
31. Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation, and to what are they like?
32. They are like unto children that sit in the marketplace, and call one to another; who say, We piped unto you, and ye did not dance; we wailed, and ye did not weep.
33. For John the Baptist is come eating no bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a demon.
34. The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold, a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!
35. And wisdom is justified of all her children.
36. And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he entered into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat.
37. And behold, a woman who was in the city, a sinner; and when she knew that he was sitting at meat in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster cruse of ointment,
38. and standing behind at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
39. Now when the Pharisee that had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him, that she is a sinner.
40. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Teacher, say on.
41. A certain lender had two debtors: the one owed five hundred shillings, and the other fifty.
42. When they had not wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?