15th Sunday after Pentecost

1 Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him. 2
But the
Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats
with them.” 3

Then Jesus told them this parable: 4

“Suppose one of you has a hundred
sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and
go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5

And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his

shoulders 6

and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says,

‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7

I tell you that in the same way there will
be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous
persons who do not need to repent. 8

“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses
one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?
9
And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice
with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the
presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”