15:1 Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him.
15:2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
15:3 Then Jesus told them this parable:
15:4 "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?
15:5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders
15:6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.'
15:7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
15:8 "Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?
15:9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.'
15:10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."