Matthew 18:10-14 - The Parable Of The Lost Sheep

¹⁰ Take heed that you despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven. ¹¹ For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. ¹² How think you? if a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, does he not leave the ninety and nine, and go into the mountains, and seek that which is gone astray? ¹³ And if so be that he finds it, verily I say unto you, he rejoices more for that sheep, than for the ninety and nine which went not astray. ¹⁴ Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

¹ Then drew near unto him all the tax collectors and sinners to hear him. ² And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receives sinners, and eats with them.

³ And he spoke this parable unto them, saying, ⁴ What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he finds it? ⁵ And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶ And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. ⁷ I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons, who need no repentance.