³ For it is we who are the circumcision,^(A) we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus,^(B) and who put no confidence in the flesh— ⁴ though I myself have reasons for such confidence.^(C)

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised^(D) on the eighth day, of the people of Israel,^(E) of the tribe of Benjamin,^(F) a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;^{(G) 6} as for zeal,^(H) persecuting the church;^(I) as for righteousness based on the law,^(J) faultless.

⁷ But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss^(K) for the sake of Christ. ⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing^(L) Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ^(M)

The Parable of the Lost Sheep^(A)

15 Now the tax collectors^(B) and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. ² But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”^(C)

³ Then Jesus told them this parable:^{(D) 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?^{(E) 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.’^{(F) 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.^(G)

The Parable of the Lost Coin

⁸ “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins^[a] and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? ⁹ And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’^{(H) 10} In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”^(I)