Luke 15:1-10

1 Now all the tax-farmers and sinners came near to give ear to him.

2 And the Pharisees and scribes were angry, saying, This man gives approval to sinners, and takes food with them.

3 And he made a story for them, saying,

4 What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if one of them gets loose and goes away, will not let the ninety-nine be in the waste land by themselves, and go after the wandering one, till he sees where it is?

5 And when he has got it again, he takes it in his arms with joy.

6 And when he gets back to his house, he sends for his neighbours and friends, saying to them, Be glad with me, for I have got back my sheep which had gone away.

7 I say to you that even so there will be more joy in heaven when one sinner is turned away from his wrongdoing, than for ninety-nine good men, who have no need of a change of heart.

8 Or what woman, having ten bits of silver, if one bit has gone from her hands, will not get a light, and go through her house, searching with care till she sees it?

9 And when she has it again, she gets her friends and neighbours together, saying, Be glad with me, for I have got back the bit of silver which had gone from me.

10 Even so, I say to you, There is joy among the angels of God, when one sinner is turned away from his wrongdoing.