After the coming of all the disciples to Damascus, Jesus said, "Let us return into Galilee, for the angel of God has said to me that I must go there." Therefore, one Sabbath morning, Jesus came to Nazareth. When the citizens recognized Jesus, everyone desired to see him.

A publican named Zacchaeus, who was of small stature, not being able to see Jesus because of the great multitude, climbed to the top of a sycamore. There, he waited for Jesus to pass that place, when he went to the synagogue. Jesus then, having come to that place, lifted up his eyes and said, "Come down, Zacchaeus, for today I will abide in your house."

The man came down and received him with gladness, making a splendid feast. The Pharisees murmured, saying to Jesus' disciples, "Why has your master gone in to eat with publicans and sinners?" Jesus answered, "Why does the physician enter into the house of a sick? Tell me, and I will tell you why I am here." They answered, "To heal the sick." "You say the truth," said Jesus, "for those who are whole have no need of medicine, only the sick. As God lives, in whose presence my soul stands, God sends his prophets and servants into the world in order that sinners may repent. He does not send them for the sake of the righteous, because they had no need of repentance, even as he that is clean has no need of the bath. Truly I say to you, if you were true Pharisees, you would be glad that I should have gone in to sinners for their salvation."

Then Jesus continued, "Those who wish to do good works, let them attend to their own selves, for there is no profit in gaining the whole world and losing one's own soul. They who wish to teach others, let them live better than others, because nothing can be learned from him who knows less than we do. How shall the sinner amend his life when he hears one worse than him teaches him?

They who seek God, let them sic flee the conversation of men; because Moses being alone upon Mount Sinai found God and spoke with Him, as does a friend who speaks with a friend.

Those who seek God, when they walk, let them look just at their own feet; when they speak, let them speak just what is necessary; when they eat, let them rise from the table still hungry; thinking every day not to attain to the next; spending their time as one draws his breath. Let one garment, of the skin of beasts, suffices. Let him hates and condemns no one just himself. In prayer, let them stand in such fear as if they were at the Judgment to come.

Now do this in the service of God, with the Law that God has given you through Moses, for in this way you will find God so that in every time and place you feel that you are in God and God is in you."