Luke 15:1-7

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

1 Now ¹the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him.

2 And the Pharisees and the scribes ²grumbled, saying, ³“This man receives sinners and ⁴eats with them. ”

3 So he told them this parable:

4 ⁵“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, ⁶if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine ⁷in the open country, and ⁸go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?

5 And when he has found it, ⁹he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for ¹⁰I have found my sheep that was lost. ’

7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who ¹¹repents than over ninety-nine ¹²righteous persons who need no repentance.