The Psalmist’s Profession of Uprightness.

A Psalm of David.

The Lost Sheep

15 Now all the tax collectors and sinners [including non-observant Jews] were coming near Jesus to listen to Him. ² Both the Pharisees and the scribes began muttering and complaining, saying, “This man accepts and welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

³ So He told them this parable: ⁴ “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one which is lost, [searching] until he finds it?^{(A) 5} And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶ And when he gets home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!’ ⁷ I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.

The Lost Coin

⁸ “Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins [each one equal to a day’s wages] and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? ⁹ And when she has found it, she calls together her [women] friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, because I found the lost coin!’ ¹⁰ In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents [that is, changes his inner self—his old way of thinking, regrets past sins, lives his life in a way that proves repentance; and seeks God’s purpose for his life].”

Personal Concerns

⁹ Make every effort to come to me soon; ¹⁰ for Demas, having loved [the pleasures of] this present ^[a]world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. ¹¹ Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very helpful to me for the ministry. ¹² But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. ¹³ When you come bring the coat that I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments. ¹⁴ Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; [but that is no concern of mine, for] the Lord will repay him according to his actions. ¹⁵ Be on guard against him yourself, because he vigorously opposed our message.

¹⁶ At my first trial no one supported me [as an advocate] or stood with me, but they all deserted me. May it not be counted against them [by God]. ¹⁷ But the Lord stood by me and strengthened and empowered me, so that through me the [gospel] message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear it; and I was rescued from the ^[b]mouth of the lion. ¹⁸ The Lord will rescue me from every evil assault, and He will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

¹⁹ Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila, and to the household of Onesiphorus. ²⁰ Erastus stayed on at Corinth, but I left Trophimus sick at Miletus. ²¹ Try your best to come [to me] before winter. Eubulus wishes to be remembered to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the ^[c]brothers and sisters.

²² The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.