Having learnt that Jesus was at table in the Pharisee's house
she brought a flask of perfume,
007:038 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.
007:039 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."
007:040 In answer to his thoughts Jesus said to him, "Simon, I have
a word to say to you." "Rabbi, say on," he replied.
007:041 "There were once two men in debt to one money-lender," said Jesus;
"one owed him five hundred shillings and the other fifty.
007:042 But neither of them could pay anything; so he freely forgave
them both. Tell me, then, which of them will love him most?"
007:043 "I suppose," replied Simon, "the one to whom he forgave most."
"You have judged rightly," Jesus rejoined.
007:044 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.
007:045 No kiss did you give me; but she from the moment I came in has
not left off tenderly kissing my feet.
007:046 No oil did you pour even on my head; but she has poured perfume
upon my feet.
007:047 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."
007:048 And He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."