The Parable of the Lost Sheep

1 Now ^zthe tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes ^agrumbled, saying, ^b“This man receives sinners and ^ceats with them.”

3 So he told them this parable:

3 Therefore say to them, Thus declares the Lord of hosts: ^fReturn to me, says the Lord of hosts, and ^gI will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. 4 ^hDo not be like your fathers, ⁱto whom the former prophets cried out, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, ^fReturn from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.’ But ^jthey did not hear or pay attention to me, declares the Lord.

19 ^yThose whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and ^zknock. ^aIf anyone hears my voice and opens the door, ^bI will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 ^cThe one who conquers, ^dI will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as ^eI also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 ^pHe who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”