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

¹⁰ Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones: for I say to 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 ye? if a man hath a hundred sheep, and one of them is gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and go to the mountains, and seek that which is gone astray? ¹³ And if he findeth it, verily I say to you, he rejoiceth more over that sheep, than over 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 to him all the publicans and sinners to hear him. ² And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

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