⁷ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents ^(A)than over ninety-nine ^[a]just persons who ^(B)need no repentance.

^32 (A)I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

¹⁰ Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

³² It was right that we should make merry and be glad, ^(A)for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ ”

¹³ And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

⁹ Also He spoke this parable to some ^(A)who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: ¹⁰ “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee ^(B)stood and prayed thus with himself, ^(C)‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.

⁶ concerning zeal, ^(A)persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

⁷ But ^(B)what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.

⁹ I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died.

¹⁵ And He said to them, “You are those who ^(A)justify yourselves ^(B)before men, but ^(C)God knows your hearts. For ^(D)what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.