1. When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum.

2. There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die.

3. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant.

4. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this,

5. because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue."

6. So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof.

7. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.

8. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one,`Go', and he goes; and that one,`Come', and he comes. I say to my servant,`Do this', and he does it."

9. When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel."

10. Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

11. Soon afterwards, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him.

12. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out--the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her.

13. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry."

14. Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!"

15. The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

16. They were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people."

17. This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.

18. John's disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them,

19. he sent them to the Lord to ask, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"

20. When the men came to Jesus, they said, "John the Baptist sent us to you to ask,`Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?'"

21. At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind.

22. So he replied to the messengers, "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.

23. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."

24. After John's messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind?

25. If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces.

26. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

27. This is the one about whom it is written: "`I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'

28. I tell you, among those born of women there is no-one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."

29. (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus' words, acknowledged that God's way was right, because they had been baptised by John.

30. But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptised by John.)

31. "To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like?

32. They are like children sitting in the market-place and calling out to each other: "`We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.'

33. For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say,`He has a demon.'

34. The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say,`Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners".'

35. But wisdom is proved right by all her children."

36. Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table.

37. When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume,

38. and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is--that she is a sinner."

40. Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." "Tell me, teacher," he said.

41. "Two men owed money to a certain money-lender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.

42. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he cancelled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"

43. Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt cancelled." "You have judged correctly," Jesus said.

44. Then he turned towards the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.

45. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.

46. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.

47. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven-- for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."

48. Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

49. The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"

50. Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."