Jesus left that place, and as he walked along, he saw a tax collector, named Matthew, sitting in his office. He said to him, "Follow me." Matthew got up and followed him.

or who steal or are greedy or are drunkards or who slander others or are thieves---none of these will possess God's Kingdom.

The rich and the poor have this in common: the LORD made them both.

"If you lend money to any of my people who are poor, do not act like a moneylender and require him to pay interest.

If you take someone's cloak as a pledge that he will pay you, you must give it back to him before the sun sets,

If any Israelites living near you become poor and cannot support themselves, you must provide for them as you would for a hired worker, so that they can continue to live near you.

Do not make them pay interest on the money you lend them, and do not make a profit on the food you sell them.

We are of the same race as the other Jews. Aren't our children just as good as theirs? But we have to make slaves of our children. Some of our daughters have already been sold as slaves. We are helpless because our fields and vineyards have been taken away from us."

and decided to act. I denounced the leaders and officials of the people and told them, "You are oppressing your own relatives!" I called a public assembly to deal with the problem

Look at me, O LORD my God, and answer me. Restore my strength; don't let me die.

so that you may become the children of your Father in heaven. For he makes his sun to shine on bad and good people alike, and gives rain to those who do good and to those who do evil.

In the past you were spiritually dead because of your disobedience and sins.