³² For John came to you ^(A)in the way of righteousness, and ^(B)you did not believe him, but ^(C)the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward ^(D)change your minds and believe him.

²⁹ (^(A)When all the people heard this, and ^(B)the tax collectors too, they declared God just,^{[a] (C)}having been baptized with ^(D)the baptism of John, ^30 (E)but the Pharisees and ^(F)the lawyers ^(G)rejected ^(H)the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.)

²⁵ The baptism of John, ^(A)from where did it come? ^(B)From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ^(C)‘Why then did you not believe him?’

²¹ For ^(A)it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from ^(B)the holy commandment delivered to them.

^37 (A)And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, ³⁸ and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and ^(B)wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. ³⁹ Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If ^(C)this man were ^(D)a prophet, he ^(E)would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” ⁴⁰ And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”

⁴¹ “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred ^(F)denarii, and the other fifty. ^42 (G)When they could not pay, he ^(H)cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” ⁴³ Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” ⁴⁴ Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; ^(I)you gave me no water for my feet, but ^(J)she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. ^45 (K)You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to ^(L)kiss my feet. ^46 (M)You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. ⁴⁷ Therefore I tell you, her sins, ^(N)which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” ⁴⁸ And he said to her, ^(O)“Your sins are forgiven.” ⁴⁹ Then those who were at table with him began to say among^[a] themselves, ^(P)“Who is this, who even forgives sins?” ⁵⁰ And he said to the woman, ^(Q)“Your faith has saved you; ^(R)go in peace.”

¹¹ But ^(A)they refused to pay attention ^(B)and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear.^{[a] 12 (C)}They made their hearts diamond-hard ^(D)lest they should hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent ^(E)by his Spirit through ^(F)the former prophets. ^(G)Therefore great anger came from the Lord of hosts.

²¹ I gave her time to repent, but ^(A)she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.

⁶ and ^(A)then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since ^(B)they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. ⁷ For ^(C)land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. ⁸ But ^(D)if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, ^(E)and its end is to be burned.

¹² Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from ^(A)the living God.