Jesus

Right then he was healing many people of diseases, pains and evil spirits, and giving sight to many who were blind.

So he answered them by saying, "Go, tell Yochanan what you have been seeing and hearing: the blind are seeing again, the lame are walking, people with tzara`at are being cleansed, the deaf are hearing, the dead are being raised, the Good News is being told to the poor --

and how blessed is anyone not offended by me!"

When the messengers from Yochanan had gone, Yeshua began speaking to the crowds about Yochanan: "What did you go out into the desert to see? Reeds swaying in the breeze?

Nu, so what did you go out to see? A prophet! Yes, and I tell you he's much more than a prophet.

This is the one about whom the Tanakh says, `See, I am sending out my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you.'

I tell you that among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than Yochanan the Immerser! Yet the one who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he!"

All the people who heard him, even the tax-collectors, by undergoing Yochanan's immersion acknowledged that God was right;

"Therefore," said the Lord, "how can I describe the people of this generation? What are they like?

The Son of Man has come eating and drinking; and you say, `Aha! A glutton and a drunkard! A friend of tax-collectors and sinners!'

One of the P'rushim invited Yeshua to eat with him, and he went into the home of the Parush and took his place at the table.

stood behind Yeshua at his feet and wept until her tears began to wet his feet. Then she wiped his feet with her own hair, kissed his feet and poured the perfume on them.

When the Parush who had invited him saw what was going on, he said to himself, "If this man were really a prophet, he would have known who is touching him and what sort of woman she is, that she is a sinner."

Yeshua answered, "Shim`on, I have something to say to you." "Say it, Rabbi," he replied.

When they were unable to pay him back, he canceled both their debts. Now which of them will love him more?"

Shim`on answered, "I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt." "Your judgment is right," Yeshua said to him.

Then, turning to the woman, he said to Shim`on, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house -- you didn't give me water for my feet, but this woman has washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair!

You didn't give me a kiss; but from the time I arrived, this woman has not stopped kissing my feet!

You didn't put oil on my head, but this woman poured perfume on my feet!

Because of this, I tell you that her sins -- which are many! -- have been forgiven, because she loved much. But someone who has been forgiven only a little loves only a little."

Then he said to her, "Your sins have been forgiven."

At this, those eating with him began saying among themselves, "Who is this fellow that presumes to forgive sins?"

But he said to the woman, "Your trust has saved you; go in peace."

After this, Yeshua traveled about from town to town and village to village, proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom of God. With him were the Twelve,

Yochanah the wife of Herod's finance minister Kuza; Shoshanah; and many other women who drew on their own wealth to help him.