The Lost Sheep

Tax collectors and sinners drew near to Jesus to hear Him teach. The Pharisees and scribes muttered among themselves, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So Jesus told a parable: “If any of you has a hundred sheep and loses one, does he not leave the ninety‑nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until he finds it? When he finds it, he puts it on his shoulders, joyful, and returns home to call his friends and neighbors to rejoice with him. In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety‑nine righteous people who need no repentance.”