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

¹⁰ See that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I tell you, that their angels in heaven do continually appear in the presence of my father, who is in heaven: ¹¹ for the Son of man came from thence to save that which was lost. ¹² What think ye? if any man had an hundred sheep, and one of them should go astray, would he not leave the ninety and nine, and go upon the hills, and seek that which is gone astray? ¹³ And if he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more on account of that, than of the ninety nine which went not astray. ¹⁴ Even so it is not the will of your heavenly Father, that any one of these little ones should be lost.

¹ Then drew near unto Him all the publicans and other notorious sinners, to hear Him. ² And the pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man entertaineth wicked persons, and eateth with them.

³ But He spake to them this parable, ⁴ saying, What man of you that hath an hundred sheep, and loseth one of them, doth not leave the ninety-nine in the field, and go after that which was lost, till he find it? ⁵ And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders rejoicing: ⁶ and coming home, he calleth his friends and neighbors together and saith unto them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost. ⁷ Thus, I tell you, there shall be joy in heaven over one repenting sinner, more than over ninety-nine righteous persons, that have no need of repentance.