Once a woman silent stood <br />While Jesus sat at meat; <br />From her eyes she poured a flood <br />To wash his sacred feet <br />Shame and wonder, joy and love; <br />All at once possessed her mind: <br />That she e'er so vile could prove, <br />Yet now forgiveness find. <br /> <br />How came this vile woman here, <br />Will Jesus notice such? <br />Sure, if he a prophet were, <br />He would disdain her touch! <br />Simon thus, with scornful heart, <br />Slighted one whom Jesus loved; <br />But her Saviour took her part, <br />And thus his pride reproved. <br /> <br />If two men in debt were bound, <br />One less, the other more; <br />Fifty, or five hundred pound, <br />And both alike were poor; <br />Should the lender both forgive, <br />When he saw them both distressed; <br />Which of them would you believe <br />Engaged to love him best? <br /> <br />Surely he who most did owe, <br />The Pharisee replied; <br />Then our Lord, by judging so, <br />Thou dost for her decide: <br />Simon if like her you knew <br />How much you forgiveness need; <br />You like her had acted too, <br />And welcomed me indeed! <br /> <br />When the load of sin is felt, <br />And much forgiveness known; <br />Then the heart of course will melt, <br />Though hard before as stone: <br />Blame not then her love and tears, <br />Greatly she in debt has been; <br />But I have removed her fears, <br />And pardoned all her sin. <br /> <br />When I read this woman's case, <br />Her love and humble zeal; <br />I confess, with shame of face, <br />My heart is made of steel, <br />Much has been forgiv'n to me, <br />Jesus paid my heavy score; <br />What a creature must I be <br />That I can love no more!<br /><br />John Newton<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-two-debtors/
