Luke 15:1–10

A Lost Sheep, a Lost Coin

15The tax collectors and sinners all came to listen to Jesus. ²But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to complain: “Look, this man welcomes sinners and even eats with them.”

³Then Jesus told them this story: ⁴“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep but loses one of them. Then he will leave the other ninety-nine sheep in the open field and go out and look for the lost sheep until he finds it. ⁵And when he finds it, he happily puts it on his shoulders ⁶and goes home. He calls to his friends and neighbors and says, ‘Be happy with me because I found my lost sheep.’ ⁷In the same way, I tell you there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who changes his heart and life, than over ninety-nine good people who don’t need to change.

⁸“Suppose a woman has ten silver coins, ⁿ but loses one. She will light a lamp, sweep the house, and look carefully for the coin until she finds it. ⁹And when she finds it, she will call her friends and neighbors and say, ‘Be happy with me because I have found the coin that I lost.’ ¹⁰In the same way, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God when one sinner changes his heart and life.”