1
Then Jesus entered and walked through Jericho.
2
There was a man there, his name Zacchaeus, the head tax man and quite rich.
3
He wanted desperately to see Jesus, but the crowd was in his way - he was a short man and couldn't see over the crowd.
4
So he ran on ahead and climbed up in a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus when he came by.
5
When Jesus got to the tree, he looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, hurry down. Today is my day to be a guest in your home."
6
Zacchaeus scrambled out of the tree, hardly believing his good luck, delighted to take Jesus home with him.
7
Everyone who saw the incident was indignant and grumped, "What business does he have getting cozy with this crook?"
8
Zacchaeus just stood there, a little stunned. He stammered apologetically, "Master, I give away half my income to the poor - and if I'm caught cheating, I pay four times the damages."
9
Jesus said, "Today is salvation day in this home! Here he is: Zacchaeus, son of Abraham!
10
For the Son of Man came to find and restore the lost."