¹⁰ For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”^(A)

¹⁶ I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up^(A) the injured and strengthen the weak,^(B) but the sleek and the strong I will destroy.^(C) I will shepherd the flock with justice.^(D)

²¹ She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,^[a](A) because he will save his people from their sins.”^(B)

¹³ Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor^(A) and a violent man, I was shown mercy^(B) because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.^{(C) 14} The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly,^(D) along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.^(E)

¹⁵ Here is a trustworthy saying^(F) that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners^(G)—of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶ But for that very reason I was shown mercy^(H) so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience^(I) as an example for those who would believe^(J) in him and receive eternal life.^(K)

³¹ Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ³² I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”^(A)

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?^{(A) 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.’^{(B) 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.^(C)

¹² On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ¹³ But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’^[a](A) For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”^(B)

⁶ You see, at just the right time,^(A) when we were still powerless,^(B) Christ died for the ungodly.^(C)

²⁴ He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”^(A)