¹⁰ And as Jesus^[a] reclined at table in the house, behold, many ^(A)tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples.

¹³ though formerly I was a blasphemer, ^(A)persecutor, and insolent opponent. But ^(B)I received mercy ^(C)because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, ¹⁴ and ^(D)the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the ^(E)faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ The saying is ^(F)trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus ^(G)came into the world to save sinners, ^(H)of whom I am the foremost. ¹⁶ But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

²⁹ And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company ^(A)of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. ³⁰ And the Pharisees and ^(B)their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, ^(C)“Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” ³¹ And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ^32 (D)I have not come to call the righteous ^(E)but sinners ^(F)to repentance.”

¹⁵ And as he reclined at table in his house, many ^(A)tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. ¹⁶ And ^(B)the scribes of^[a] the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, ^(C)“Why does he eat^[b] with tax collectors and sinners?” ¹⁷ And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ^(D)I came not to call the righteous, ^(E)but sinners.”

³¹ We know that ^(A)God does not listen to sinners, but ^(B)if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.