1
Jesus was going through the city of Jericho.
2
A man was there named Zacchaeus, who was a very important tax collector, and he was wealthy.
3
He wanted to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because he was too short to see above the crowd.
4
He ran ahead to a place where Jesus would come, and he climbed a sycamore tree so he could see him.
5
When Jesus came to that place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down! I must stay at your house today."
6
Zacchaeus came down quickly and welcomed him gladly.
7
All the people saw this and began to complain, "Jesus is staying with a sinner!"
8
But Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "I will give half of my possessions to the poor. And if I have cheated anyone, I will pay back four times more."
9
Jesus said to him, "Salvation has come to this house today, because this man also belongs to the family of Abraham.