1. Tax collectors and sinners were all crowding around to listen to Jesus.
2. So the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law of Moses started grumbling, “This man is friendly with sinners. He even eats with them.”
3. Then Jesus told them this story:
4. If any of you has a hundred sheep, and one of them gets lost, what will you do? Won't you leave the ninety-nine in the field and go and look for the lost sheep until you find it?
5. And when you find it, you will be so glad that you will put it on your shoulder
6. and carry it home. Then you will call in your friends and neighbours and say, “Let's celebrate! I've found my lost sheep.”
7. Jesus said, “In the same way there is more happiness in heaven because of one sinner who turns to God than over ninety-nine good people who don't need to.”