15
"Explain to us this figurative language," said Peter.
16
"Are even you," He answered, "still without intellingence?
17
Do you not understand that whatever enters the mouth passes into the stomach and is afterwards ejected from the body?
18
But the things that come out of the mouth proceed from the heart, and it is these that defile the man.
19
For out of the heart proceed wicked thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, perjury, impiety of speech.
20
These are the things which defile the man; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile."
21
Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew into the vicinity of Tyre and Sidon.
22
Here a Canaanitish woman of the district came out and persistently cried out, "Sir, Son of David, pity me; my daughter is cruelly harassed by a demon."
23
But He answered her not a word. Then the disciples interposed, and begged Him, saying, "Send her away because she keeps crying behind us."
24
"I have only been sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel," He replied.
25
Then she came and threw herself at His feet and entreated Him. "O Sir, help me," she said.