Luke 7

King James Version

1 Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.6 Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.11 And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.16 And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.17 And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.18 And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?20 When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?21 And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.24 And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?25 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings courts.26 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.27 This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.29 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.31 And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?32 They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!35 But wisdom is justified of all her children.36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

Luke 7

New International Reader’s Version

1 Jesus finished saying all these things to the people who were listening. Then he entered Capernaum.2 There the servant of a Roman commander was ill and about to die. His master thought highly of him.3 The commander heard about Jesus. So he sent some elders of the Jews to him. He told them to ask Jesus to come and heal his servant.4 They came to Jesus and begged him, ‘This man deserves to have you do this.5 He loves our nation and has built our synagogue.’6 So Jesus went with them. When Jesus came near the house, the Roman commander sent friends to him. He told them to say, ‘Lord, don’t trouble yourself. I am not good enough to have you come into my house.7 That is why I did not even think I was fit to come to you. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.8 I myself am a man who is under authority. And I have soldiers who obey my orders. I tell this one, “Go”, and he goes. I tell that one, “Come”, and he comes. I say to my servant, “Do this”, and he does it.’9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at the commander. Jesus turned to the crowd that was following him. He said, ‘I tell you, even in Israel I have not found anyone whose faith is so strong.’10 Then the men who had been sent to Jesus returned to the house. They found that the servant was healed.11 Some time later, Jesus went to a town called Nain. His disciples and a large crowd went along with him.12 He approached the town gate. Just then, a dead person was being carried out. He was the only son of his mother. She was a widow. A large crowd from the town was with her.13 When the Lord saw her, he felt sorry for her. So he said, ‘Don’t cry.’14 Then he went up and touched the coffin. Those carrying it stood still. Jesus said, ‘Young man, I say to you, get up!’15 The dead man sat up and began to talk. Then Jesus gave him back to his mother.16 The people were all filled with wonder and praised God. ‘A great prophet has appeared among us,’ they said. ‘God has come to help his people.’17 This news about Jesus spread all through Judea and the whole country.18 John’s disciples told him about all these things. So he chose two of them.19 He sent them to the Lord. John told them to ask him, ‘Are you the one who is supposed to come? Or should we look for someone else?’20 The men came to Jesus. They said, ‘John the Baptist sent us to ask you, “Are you the one who is supposed to come? Or should we look for someone else?” ’21 At that time Jesus healed many people. They had illnesses, diseases and evil spirits. He also gave sight to many who were blind.22 So Jesus replied to the messengers, ‘Go back to John. Tell him what you have seen and heard. Blind people receive sight. Disabled people walk. Those who have skin diseases are made “clean”. Deaf people hear. Those who are dead are raised to life. And the good news is announced to those who are poor.23 Blessed is anyone who does not give up their faith because of me.’24 So John’s messengers left. Then Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John. He said, ‘What did you go out into the desert to see? Tall grass waving in the wind?25 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No. Those who wear fine clothes and have many expensive things are in palaces.26 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.27 He is the one written about in Scripture. It says, ‘ “I will send my messenger ahead of you. He will prepare your way for you.” (Mal 3:1)28 I tell you, no one more important than John has ever been born. But the least important person in God’s kingdom is more important than John is.’29 All the people who heard Jesus’ words agreed that God’s way was right. Even the tax collectors agreed. These people had all been baptised by John.30 But the Pharisees and the authorities on the law did not accept for themselves God’s purpose. So they had not been baptised by John.31 Jesus went on to say, ‘What can I compare today’s people to? What are they like?32 They are like children sitting in the market and calling out to each other. They say, ‘ “We played the flute for you. But you didn’t dance. We sang a funeral song. But you didn’t cry.”33 That is how it has been with John the Baptist. When he came to you, he didn’t eat bread or drink wine. And you say, “He has a demon.”34 But when the Son of Man came, he ate and drank as you do. And you say, “This fellow is always eating and drinking far too much. He’s a friend of tax collectors and sinners.”35 All who follow wisdom prove that wisdom is right.’36 One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him. So he went to the Pharisee’s house. He took his place at the table.37 There was a woman in that town who had lived a sinful life. She learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house. So she came there with a special jar of perfume.38 She stood behind Jesus and cried at his feet. And she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair. She kissed them and poured perfume on them.39 The Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this. He said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him. He would know what kind of woman she is. She is a sinner!’40 Jesus answered him, ‘Simon, I have something to tell you.’ ‘Tell me, teacher,’ he said.41 ‘Two people owed money to a certain lender. One owed him 500 silver coins. The other owed him 50 silver coins.42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back. So he let them go without paying. Which of them will love him more?’43 Simon replied, ‘I suppose the one who owed the most money.’ ‘You are right,’ Jesus said.44 Then he turned towards the woman. He said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water to wash my feet. But she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.45 You did not give me a kiss. But this woman has not stopped kissing my feet since I came in.46 You did not put any olive oil on my head. But she has poured this perfume on my feet.47 So I tell you this. Her many sins have been forgiven. She has shown that she understands this by her great acts of love. But whoever has been forgiven only a little loves only a little.’48 Then Jesus said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’49 The other guests began to talk about this among themselves. They said, ‘Who is this who even forgives sins?’50 Jesus said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.’