015:001 Now the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners were everywhere
in the habit of coming close to Him to listen to Him;
015:002 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!"
015:003 So in figurative language He asked them,
015:004 "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?
015:005 And when he has found it, he lifts it on his shoulder, glad at heart.
015:006 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.'
015:007 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.
015:008 "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?
015:009 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.'
015:010 "I tell you that in the same way there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one repentant sinner."