1Now all the tax collectors and the sinful were coming near to him in order to hear him.2And the Pharisees and the scribes were murmuring, saying, This man welcomes sinful people and eats with them.3Then he spoke this parable to them, saying,4What man among you who has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until he finds it?5And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.6And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.7I tell you that in the same way there will be joy in heaven over one sinful person who repents, rather than over ninety-nine righteous persons who have no need of repentance.