Luke 15:2-12

2 and this led the Pharisees and the Scribes indignantly to complain, saying, "He gives a welcome to notorious sinners, and joins them at their meals!"

3 So in figurative language He asked them,

4 "Which of you men, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in their pasture and go in search of the lost one till he finds it?

5 And when he has found it, he lifts it on his shoulder, glad at heart.

6 Then coming home he calls his friends and neighbours together, and says, `Congratulate me, for I have found my sheep--the one I had lost.'

7 I tell you that in the same way there will be rejoicing in Heaven over one repentant sinner--more rejoicing than over ninety-nine blameless persons who have no need of repentance.

8 "Or what woman who has ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully till she finds it?

9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbours, and says, "`Congratulate me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.'

10 "I tell you that in the same way there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one repentant sinner."

11 He went on to say, "There was a man who had two sons.

12 The younger of them said to his father, "`Father, give me the share of the property that comes to me.' "So he divided his wealth between them.