³⁶ Now one of the Pharisees repeatedly invited Him to a meal at his house; so He entered the house and reclined at the table.

³⁷ And there was a woman in the town who was a notorious sinner. Having learnt that Jesus was at table in the Pharisee's house she brought a flask of perfume,

³⁸ and, standing behind close to His feet, weeping, began to wet His feet with her tears; and with her hair she wiped the tears away again, while she lovingly kissed His feet and poured the perfume over them.

³⁹ Noticing this, the Pharisee, His host, said to himself, "This man, if he were really a Prophet, would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching him--and would know that she is an immoral woman."

⁴⁰ In answer to his thoughts Jesus said to him, "Simon, I have a word to say to you." "Rabbi, say on," he replied.

⁴¹ "There were once two men in debt to one money-lender," said Jesus; "one owed him five hundred shillings and the other fifty.

⁴² But neither of them could pay anything; so he freely forgave them both. Tell me, then, which of them will love him most?"

⁴³ "I suppose," replied Simon, "the one to whom he forgave most." "You have judged rightly," Jesus rejoined.

⁴⁴ Then turning towards the woman He said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house: you gave me no water for my feet; but she has made my feet wet with her tears, and then wiped the tears away with her hair.

⁴⁵ No kiss did you give me; but she from the moment I came in has not left off tenderly kissing my feet.

⁴⁶ No oil did you pour even on my head; but she has poured perfume upon my feet.

⁴⁷ This is the reason why I tell you that her sins, her many sins, are forgiven--because she has loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little."

⁴⁸ And He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

⁴⁹ Then the other guests began to say to themselves, "Who can this man be who even forgives sins?"

⁵⁰ But He said to the woman, "Your faith has cured you: go, and be at peace."