26. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Certainly, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
27. This is he of whom it is written: "Behold, I send my Angel before your face, who shall prepare your way before you."
28. For I say to you, among those born of women, no one is greater than the prophet John the Baptist. But he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."
29. And upon hearing this, all the people and the tax collectors justified God, by being baptized with the baptism of John.
30. But the Pharisees and the experts in the law despised the counsel of God concerning themselves, by not being baptized by him.
31. Then the Lord said: "Therefore, to what shall I compare the men of this generation? And to what are they similar?
32. They are like children sitting in the marketplace, talking with one another, and saying: 'We sang to you, and you did not dance. We lamented, and you did not weep.'
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, 'Behold, a voracious man and a drinker of wine, a friend of tax collectors and of sinners.'
35. But wisdom is justified by all her children."
36. Then certain Pharisees petitioned him, so that they might eat with him. And he went into the house of the Pharisee, and he reclined at table.
37. And behold, a woman who was in the city, a sinner, found out that he was reclining at table in the house of the Pharisee, so she brought an alabaster container of ointment.
38. And standing behind him, beside his feet, she began to wash his feet with tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, and she kissed his feet, and she anointed them with ointment.
39. Then the Pharisee, who had invited him, upon seeing this, spoke within himself, saying, "This man, if he were a prophet, would certainly know who and what kind of woman is this, who is touching him: that she is a sinner."
40. And in response, Jesus said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." So he said, "Speak, Teacher."
41. "A certain creditor had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.
42. And since they did not have the ability to repay him, he forgave them both. So then, which of them loves him more?"
43. In response, Simon said, "I suppose that it is he to whom he forgave the most." And he said to him, "You have judged correctly."
44. And turning to the woman, he said to Simon: "Do you see this woman? I entered into your house. You gave me no water for my feet. But she has washed my feet with tears, and has wiped them with her hair.