1. Then drew near unto him all the tax collectors and sinners to hear him.
2. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receives sinners, and eats with them.
3. And he spoke this parable unto them, saying,
4. What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that 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 unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons, who need no repentance.
8. Or what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she loses one piece, does not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she finds it?
9. And when she has found it, she calls her friends and her neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
10. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents.
11. And he said,
12. And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13. And not many days later the younger son gathered everything together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14. And when he had spent everything, there arose a great famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.