Publicans

“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same?”

“And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?”

“When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?””

“The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at this glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is vindicated by her actions.””

“If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”

“Which of the two did the will of his father?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.”

“The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like the other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.”

“For John came to you in a righteous way and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.”