The Parable of the Lost Sheep

15 Now ^(A)the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. ² And the Pharisees and the scribes ^(B)grumbled, saying, ^(C)“This man receives sinners and ^(D)eats with them.”

³ So he told them this parable: ^4 (E)“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, ^(F)if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine ^(G)in the open country, and ^(H)go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? ⁵ And when he has found it, ^(I)he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶ And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for ^(J)I have found my sheep that was lost.’ ⁷ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who ^(K)repents than over ninety-nine ^(L)righteous persons who need no repentance.

The Parable of the Lost Coin

⁸ “Or what woman, having ten silver coins,^[a] if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? ⁹ And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ ¹⁰ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before ^(M)the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

²⁰ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ^(A)ran and ^(B)embraced him and ^(C)kissed him. ²¹ And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. ^(D)I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’^{[a] 22} But the father said to his servants,^[b] ‘Bring quickly ^(E)the best robe, and put it on him, and put ^(F)a ring on his hand, and ^(G)shoes on his feet. ²³ And bring ^(H)the fattened calf and kill it, and ^(I)let us eat and celebrate. ²⁴ For this my son ^(J)was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.