1 When he had finished this discourse to the populous audience, he entred into Capernaum,
2 where a certain centurion had a servant whom he greatly valued, lying sick and ready to die.
3 this centurion having heard of Jesus's fame, sent several elders of the Jews to intreat him to come, and recover his servant.
4 accordingly they came to Jesus and earnestly pressed him, saying, he very well deserves you should do him this favour; for he loves our nation,
5 and hath built us a synagogue at his own charge.
6 then Jesus went with him, and when he was advanced near the house, the centurion sent some of his friends to him, saying, "Lord, don't give yourself the trouble of coming, I don't deserve you should honour my house with your presence.
7 nor did I think myself worthy to attend you: speak but the word, and my servant shall be cured.
8 for though I am subject to authority, I have soldiers under me: I bid one go, and he goes: I bid another come, and he comes: I bid my servant do this, and he does it."
9 when Jesus heard this, he admired the man, and turning about, he said to the people, that followed him, I assure you, I have not met with such an instance of faith even among the Jews themselves.
10 and they that were sent, being return'd to the house, they found the servant, who had been sick, in good health.
11 The day following, he went into a city called Nain, accompanied by many of his disciples, and a great crowd of people.
12 as he drew near the gate of the city, there was a dead man just then carrying out to be buried, who was his mother's only son, and she a widow: and many people of the town came with her.
13 when the Lord saw her, he was moved with compassion for her, and said to her, don't weep.
14 then advancing, he touch'd the bier, and the bearers standing still, he said, young man, arise, I command you.
15 and the deceased sat up, and began to speak, and Jesus delivered him to his mother.
16 all that were present were seized with dread, and glorified God, saying, a great prophet is risen up among us, and God has visited his people.
17 and his fame spread over all Judea and the neighbouring countrys.
18 John was soon inform'd of these transactions by his disciples,
19 and sent two of them to Jesus, with this question, are you the Messiah, or must we yet wait for some other?
20 accordingly they came to Jesus, and said, John the Baptist sent us to enquire, if you are he that was to come, or must we look for another?
21 at that very time, he cured several of their diseases and distempers, dispossessing evil spirits, and restoring sight to many that were blind.
22 then he gave them this answer, go, and tell John what you have seen, and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are healed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the gospel is proclaim'd to the poor.
23 and blessed is he, who does not make me the occasion of his fall.
24 When the messengers of John were departed, he address'd himself to the people, and said with relation to John, what did you go to see in the desart? a reed shaken with the wind?
25 or did you go to see a man richly apparelled? for magnificent dress and splendid living, you must look into the courts of princes.
26 what then did you go to see? a prophet? yes, I say it, and more than a prophet.
27 he it is, of whom it is written, "behold, I send my messenger before you, who shall prepare the way for you."
28 I declare unto you, among the whole race of mankind, there is not a prophet, who is superiour to John the Baptist: yet he that is most inferiour in the kingdom of the Messiah, is greater than he.
29 all the people, even the publicans, upon hearing him, gave glory to God, by receiving the baptism of John;
30 but the Pharisees and the doctors of the law rejected the divine offers made to them, refusing to be baptized by John.
31 To what therefore shall I compare the men of this generation? who are they like?
32 they are like children playing together in the street, who cry, we have play'd to you on the flute, but you have not danced: we have sung mournful dittys, but you have not lamented.
33 for John the Baptist, when he came, abstain'd from bread and wine; yet you say, he is possess'd with a demon.
34 the son of man appears indifferent to any kind of meat or drink: yet you say, he is a glutton and a tipler, a friend of publicans and loose people.
35 "but wisdom is justified by all her different followers."
36 Jesus being invited to dinner at a certain Pharisee's house, he went home with him, and sat down to table.
37 when a woman of that city, one that had led a loose life, knowing that Jesus was at table in the Pharisee's house, came in with a vial of odoriferous liquor,
38 and stood behind at his feet weeping, bath'd them with her tears, wiped them with her hair, kissed his feet, and poured the perfume upon them.
39 which the Pharisee, who had invited him, observing, he thus argued with himself, if this man were a prophet, he could not but know that the woman, who is so busy with him, is a person of a loose character.
40 in answer to his doubts, Jesus said, Simon, I have something to say to you. master, said he, lets hear it.
41 A certain creditor had two debtors, the one owed five hundred denarys, and the other fifty.
42 having not wherewithal to pay it, he freely discharged them both of the debt. tell me now, which of the two will love him most?
43 I think, said Simon, he that had the greatest debt remitted to him. you are in the right, said Jesus.
44 and turning to the woman, he said to Simon, do you observe this woman? though I am a guest in your house, you never offer'd me any water for my feet: but she has bath'd my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head.
45 you did not salute me, but this woman, since she came in, has been continually kissing my feet.
46 you did not bestow any oil upon my head; but she has poured her rich perfume upon my feet.
47 wherefore, I tell you, her sins, which are numerous, are forgiven; and that is the reason of all this love: but his love is less, to whom less is forgiven.
48 then he said to her, your sins are forgiven.
49 but they who sat at table with him, began to ask one another, who is this, that pretends even to forgive sins?