⁷ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt,^(A) have become corrupt.^{(B) 8} They have been quick to turn away^(C) from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol^(D) cast in the shape of a calf.^(E) They have bowed down to it and sacrificed^(F) to it and have said, ‘These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’^(G)

⁹ “I have seen these people,” the Lord said to Moses, “and they are a stiff-necked^(H) people. ¹⁰ Now leave me alone^(I) so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy^(J) them. Then I will make you into a great nation.”^(K)

¹¹ But Moses sought the favor^(L) of the Lord his God. “Lord,” he said, “why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand?^{(M) 12} Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth’?^(N) Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster^(O) on your people. ¹³ Remember^(P) your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self:^(Q) ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars^(R) in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land^(S) I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.’” ¹⁴ Then the Lord relented^(T) and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.

Psalm 51^[a]

For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.^(A)

The Lord’s Grace to Paul

¹² I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength,^(A) that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.^{(B) 13} Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor^(C) and a violent man, I was shown mercy^(D) because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.^{(E) 14} The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly,^(F) along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.^(G)

¹⁵ Here is a trustworthy saying^(H) that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners^(I)—of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶ But for that very reason I was shown mercy^(J) so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience^(K) as an example for those who would believe^(L) in him and receive eternal life.^{(M) 17} Now to the King^(N) eternal, immortal,^(O) invisible,^(P) the only God,^(Q) be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.^(R)

The Parable of the Lost Sheep^(A)

15 Now the tax collectors^(B) and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. ² But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”^(C)

³ Then Jesus told them this parable:^{(D) 4} “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?^{(E) 5} And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders ⁶ and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’^{(F) 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.^(G)

The Parable of the Lost Coin

⁸ “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins^[a] and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? ⁹ And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’^{(H) 10} In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”^(I)