Study Desk

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near Jesus to listen to Him.

Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

And both the Pharisees and the scribes began to complain, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them."

And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

And so He told them this parable, saying,

And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

"What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the other ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?

What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

"And when he has found it, he puts it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

"And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost!'

And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

"I tell you that 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.

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.