Study Desk

All^(a) the tax collectors^(b) and sinners were approaching to listen to Him.

And the Pharisees and scribes were complaining, "This man welcomes sinners^(c) and eats with them!"

So He told them this parable:^(d)

"What man among you, who has 100 sheep and loses one of them,^(e) does not leave the 99 in the open field^[a] and go after the lost one until he finds it?

When he has found it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders,

and coming home, he calls his friends and neighbors together, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!'

I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven^(f) over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people who don't need repentance.

"Or what woman who has 10 silver coins,^[b] if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?

When she finds it, she calls her women friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found the silver coin I lost!'

I tell you, in the same way, there is joy in the presence of God's angels^(g) over one sinner who repents."