15 Now all the ^[a]publicans and sinners were drawing near unto him to hear him. ² And both the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

³ And he spake unto them this parable, saying, ⁴ What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? ⁵ And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶ And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and his neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost. ⁷ I say unto you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine righteous persons, who need no repentance.