English Standard Version ESV
The Message Bible MSG
1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him.
1
By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently.
2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them."
2
The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, "He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends."
3 So he told them this parable:
3
Their grumbling triggered this story.
4 "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?
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"Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it?
5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
5
When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing,
6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.'
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and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, 'Celebrate with me! I've found my lost sheep!'
7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
7
Count on it - there's more joy in heaven over one sinner's rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.
8 "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?
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"Or imagine a woman who has ten coins and loses one. Won't she light a lamp and scour the house, looking in every nook and cranny until she finds it?
9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.'
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And when she finds it you can be sure she'll call her friends and neighbors: 'Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!'
10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
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Count on it - that's the kind of party God's angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God."
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.