^10 (A)for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

^16 (A)“I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy ^(B)the fat and the strong, and feed them ^(C)in judgment.”

^21 (A)And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name ^[a]Jesus, ^(B)for He will save His people from their sins.”

¹³ although ^(A)I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an ^[a]insolent man; but I obtained mercy because ^(B)I did it ignorantly in unbelief. ^14 (C)And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, ^(D)with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. ^15 (E)This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that ^(F)Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. ¹⁶ However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.

³¹ Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ^32 (A)I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

^4 (A)“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? ⁵ And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶ And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ^(B)‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep ^(C)which was lost!’ ⁷ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents ^(D)than over ninety-nine ^[a]just persons who ^(E)need no repentance.

¹² When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ¹³ But go and learn what this means: ^(A)‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, ^(B)but sinners, ^[a]to repentance.”

Christ in Our Place

⁶ For when we were still without strength, ^[a]in due time ^(A)Christ died for the ungodly.

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.’ ”