One day when many tax collectors

and other outcasts came to listen to Jesus,

the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law started grumbling,

"This man welcomes outcasts and even eats with them!"

So Jesus told them this parable:

"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep

and loses one of them – what does he do?

He leaves the other ninety-nine sheep

in the pasture and goes looking

for the one that got lost until he finds it.

When he finds it, he is so happy

that he puts it on his shoulders and carries it back home.

Then he calls his friends and neighbors together

and says to them, ‘I am so happy I found my lost sheep.

Let us celebrate!’

In the same way, I tell you, there will be more joy

in heaven over one sinner who repents

than over ninety-nine respectable people

who do not need to repent."

Luke 15:1-7