Then Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by whose authority I do these things.”

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same.

And if you lend to those from whom you hope to be repaid, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, so that they may be repaid in full.

But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.

and said to him, “Tell us: By what authority are you doing these things? Or who it is who gave you this authority?”

He said to them, “What things?” “The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied, “a man who, with his powerful deeds and words, proved to be a prophet before God and all the people;