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. ”
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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 Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025
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.