Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was [present] to heal them.

And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

And when all the people heard [Him,] even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.

But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.

"The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'

Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw [this,] he spoke to himself, saying, "This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman [this is] who is touching Him, for she is a sinner."

Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him.

And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them."

"The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men -- extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.

But when they saw [it,] they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner."

Who say, 'Keep to yourself, Do not come near me, For I am holier than you!' These [are] smoke in My nostrils, A fire that burns all the day.

" But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, 'Son, go, work today in my vineyard.'

"Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, 'I [go,] sir,' but he did not go.

"For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw [it,] you did not afterward relent and believe him.

For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash [their] hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders.