Luke 15:1-10

¹Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming close to him to hear him. ²The Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them."

³He told them this parable. ⁴"Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep, and lost one of them, wouldn`t leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that was lost, until he found it? <sup>5</sup>When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing. <sup>6</sup>When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, `Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!` ⁷I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.

⁸Or what woman, if she had ten drachma coins, if she lost one drachma, wouldn`t light a lamp, sweep the house, and seek diligently until she found it? <sup>9</sup>When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, `Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma which I had lost.` ¹⁰Even so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting."