7. All the people saw this. They began to whisper among themselves. They said, "Jesus has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.' "
8. But Zacchaeus stood up. He said, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of what I own to those who are poor. And if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay it back. I will pay back four times the amount I took."
9. Jesus said to Zacchaeus, "Today salvation has come to your house. You are a member of Abraham's family line.
10. The Son of Man came to look for the lost and save them."
11. While the people were listening to these things, Jesus told them a story. He was near Jerusalem. The people thought that God's kingdom was going to appear right away.
12. Jesus said, "A man from an important family went to a country far away. He went there to be made king and then return home.
13. So he sent for ten of his servants. He gave them each about three months' pay. 'Put this money to work until I come back,' he said.
14. "But those he ruled over hated him. They sent some messengers after him. They were sent to say, 'We don't want this man to be our king.'
15. "But he was made king and returned home. Then he sent for the servants he had given the money to. He wanted to find out what they had earned with it.
16. "The first one came to him. He said, 'Sir, your money has earned ten times as much.'
17. " 'You have done well, my good servant!' his master replied. 'You have been faithful in a very small matter. So I will put you in charge of ten towns.'