Lost, seeking, finding, rescue

Lost Sheep

The belief that God created human beings, who then wandered away from their relationship with him by disobeying him, is central to the story which runs through the Old Testament of the Bible. Because sheep were a common part of life in the Middle East at the time, it is natural for writers of the Bible to compare straying sinners to sheep who have wandered away. For example, in Psalms 119:10, the writer laments his own sin (see Big ideas: Sin) and asks to be kept from leaving the right path, ‘I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.' Later, he prays to God, ‘I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands' (see Big ideas: Sheep, shepherd, lamb).

The image of a lost sheep is a powerful one. It is recalled in the Book of Common Prayer which has been widely used in church services of the Church of England since the sixteenth century. In one prayer in which Christians confess their sins, the acknowledgement of guilt is expressed as wandering from the right pathway, using the image of a lost sheep, ‘We have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep.' (Liturgy Morning Prayer:Confession).See Big ideas: Penitence, Repentance, Penance.

Seeking the lost

The New Testament writers state that when God sent his son Jesus Christ to earth, to die to pay the penalty for the sin of humankind, bringing about the redemption of humankind, he was seeking to rescue those who had strayed from his way (see Big ideas: Path, way; Redemption, salvation).

Jesus tells several parables to show God's love for human beings. Perhaps the most famous of these is the story of the lost sheep, where Jesus asks:

‘If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?' (Matthew 18:12-14).

Another parable describes how a woman who loses a coin from her head-dress will search for that one coin, even though she still has nine others:

‘Suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?' (Luke 15:8).

Finding and rescuing the lost

These images of loss are, however, intimately connected with the idea of finding and rescuing. This is demonstrated by the Christian the belief that Jesus Christ, through his acceptance of death on the cross, rescued all humanity from the penalty deserved by their sins. Hence, Jesus is sometimes called the Good Shepherd, who goes looking for any lost sheep, and who rescues repentant sinners from the consequences of their actions.

Loss in literature

Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale

In Shakespeare's Last, or Romance, Plays, he explores the idea of loss, using the idea of a lost child. In The Winter's Tale, the child in question is called Perdita, which means ‘the lost one'. In this play, those who are far removed from violence and intrigue are the shepherds, who rescue and care for Perdita until her father's repentance makes it possible for her to be restored to him.

Other cultural references

Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale

The Book of Common Prayer

English Standard Version
King James Version

¹Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! ²Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, ³who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! ⁴You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. ⁵Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! ⁶Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. ⁷I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. ⁸I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me! ⁹How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. ¹⁰With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! ¹¹I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. ¹²Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! ¹³With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. ¹⁴In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. ¹⁵I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. ¹⁶I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. ¹⁷Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word. ¹⁸Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. ¹⁹I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me! ²⁰My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times. ²¹You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from your commandments. ²²Take away from me scorn and contempt, for I have kept your testimonies. ²³Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes. ²⁴Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors. ²⁵My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word! ²⁶When I told of my ways, you answered me; teach me your statutes! ²⁷Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works. ²⁸My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word! ²⁹Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law! ³⁰I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me. ³¹I cling to your testimonies, O Lord; let me not be put to shame! ³²I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart! ³³Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. ³⁴Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. ³⁵Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. ³⁶Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! ³⁷Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. ³⁸Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared. ³⁹Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good. ⁴⁰Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life! ⁴¹Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord, your salvation according to your promise; ⁴²then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in your word. ⁴³And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in your rules. ⁴⁴I will keep your law continually, forever and ever, ⁴⁵and I shall walk in a wide place, for I have sought your precepts. ⁴⁶I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame, ⁴⁷for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love. ⁴⁸I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes. ⁴⁹Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. ⁵⁰This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. ⁵¹The insolent utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from your law. ⁵²When I think of your rules from of old, I take comfort, O Lord. ⁵³Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake your law. ⁵⁴Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my sojourning. ⁵⁵I remember your name in the night, O Lord, and keep your law. ⁵⁶This blessing has fallen to me, that I have kept your precepts. ⁵⁷The Lord is my portion; I promise to keep your words. ⁵⁸I entreat your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. ⁵⁹When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies; ⁶⁰I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments. ⁶¹Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget your law. ⁶²At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous rules. ⁶³I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts. ⁶⁴The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statutes! ⁶⁵You have dealt well with your servant, O Lord, according to your word. ⁶⁶Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. ⁶⁷Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. ⁶⁸You are good and do good; teach me your statutes. ⁶⁹The insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts; ⁷⁰their heart is unfeeling like fat, but I delight in your law. ⁷¹It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. ⁷²The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. ⁷³Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. ⁷⁴Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word. ⁷⁵I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. ⁷⁶Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant. ⁷⁷Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight. ⁷⁸Let the insolent be put to shame, because they have wronged me with falsehood; as for me, I will meditate on your precepts. ⁷⁹Let those who fear you turn to me, that they may know your testimonies. ⁸⁰May my heart be blameless in your statutes, that I may not be put to shame! ⁸¹My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word. ⁸²My eyes long for your promise; I ask, When will you comfort me? ⁸³For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten your statutes. ⁸⁴How long must your servant endure? When will you judge those who persecute me? ⁸⁵The insolent have dug pitfalls for me; they do not live according to your law. ⁸⁶All your commandments are sure; they persecute me with falsehood; help me! ⁸⁷They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts. ⁸⁸In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth. ⁸⁹Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. ⁹⁰Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast. ⁹¹By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants. ⁹²If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. ⁹³I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life. ⁹⁴I am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts. ⁹⁵The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I consider your testimonies. ⁹⁶I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commandment is exceedingly broad. ⁹⁷Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. ⁹⁸Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. ⁹⁹I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. ¹⁰⁰I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. ¹⁰¹I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. ¹⁰²I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me. ¹⁰³How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! ¹⁰⁴Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. ¹⁰⁵Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. ¹⁰⁶I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules. ¹⁰⁷I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word! ¹⁰⁸Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me your rules. ¹⁰⁹I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget your law. ¹¹⁰The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts. ¹¹¹Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. ¹¹²I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end. ¹¹³I hate the double-minded, but I love your law. ¹¹⁴You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word. ¹¹⁵Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God. ¹¹⁶Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope! ¹¹⁷Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for your statutes continually! ¹¹⁸You spurn all who go astray from your statutes, for their cunning is in vain. ¹¹⁹All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross, therefore I love your testimonies. ¹²⁰My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments. ¹²¹I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors. ¹²²Give your servant a pledge of good; let not the insolent oppress me. ¹²³My eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise. ¹²⁴Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes. ¹²⁵I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies! ¹²⁶It is time for the Lord to act, for your law has been broken. ¹²⁷Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold. ¹²⁸Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way. ¹²⁹Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. ¹³⁰The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. ¹³¹I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments. ¹³²Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name. ¹³³Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. ¹³⁴Redeem me from man's oppression, that I may keep your precepts. ¹³⁵Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes. ¹³⁶My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law. ¹³⁷Righteous are you, O Lord, and right are your rules. ¹³⁸You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness. ¹³⁹My zeal consumes me, because my foes forget your words. ¹⁴⁰Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it. ¹⁴¹I am small and despised, yet I do not forget your precepts. ¹⁴²Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true. ¹⁴³Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight. ¹⁴⁴Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live. ¹⁴⁵With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord! I will keep your statutes. ¹⁴⁶I call to you; save me, that I may observe your testimonies. ¹⁴⁷I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words. ¹⁴⁸My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise. ¹⁴⁹Hear my voice according to your steadfast love; O Lord, according to your justice give me life. ¹⁵⁰They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose; they are far from your law. ¹⁵¹But you are near, O Lord, and all your commandments are true. ¹⁵²Long have I known from your testimonies that you have founded them forever. ¹⁵³Look on my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget your law. ¹⁵⁴Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life according to your promise! ¹⁵⁵Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your statutes. ¹⁵⁶Great is your mercy, O Lord; give me life according to your rules. ¹⁵⁷Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, but I do not swerve from your testimonies. ¹⁵⁸I look at the faithless with disgust, because they do not keep your commands. ¹⁵⁹Consider how I love your precepts! Give me life according to your steadfast love. ¹⁶⁰The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever. ¹⁶¹Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words. ¹⁶²I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil. ¹⁶³I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law. ¹⁶⁴Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules. ¹⁶⁵Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. ¹⁶⁶I hope for your salvation, O Lord, and I do your commandments. ¹⁶⁷My soul keeps your testimonies; I love them exceedingly. ¹⁶⁸I keep your precepts and testimonies, for all my ways are before you. ¹⁶⁹Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word! ¹⁷⁰Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word. ¹⁷¹My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes. ¹⁷²My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right. ¹⁷³Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. ¹⁷⁴I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight. ¹⁷⁵Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me. ¹⁷⁶I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.

¹Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. ²Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. ³They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. ⁴Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. ⁵O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! ⁶Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. ⁷I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. ⁸I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly. ⁹Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. ¹⁰With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. ¹¹Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. ¹²Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. ¹³With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. ¹⁴I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. ¹⁵I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. ¹⁶I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. ¹⁷Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. ¹⁸Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. ¹⁹I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. ²⁰My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times. ²¹Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments. ²²Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies. ²³Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes. ²⁴Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors. ²⁵My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word. ²⁶I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes. ²⁷Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works. ²⁸My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. ²⁹Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously. ³⁰I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me. ³¹I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame. ³²I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. ³³Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. ³⁴Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. ³⁵Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. ³⁶Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. ³⁷Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way. ³⁸Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear. ³⁹Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good. ⁴⁰Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness. ⁴¹Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word. ⁴²So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word. ⁴³And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. ⁴⁴So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. ⁴⁵And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. ⁴⁶I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed. ⁴⁷And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. ⁴⁸My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes. ⁴⁹Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. ⁵⁰This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. ⁵¹The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law. ⁵²I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself. ⁵³Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law. ⁵⁴Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage. ⁵⁵I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law. ⁵⁶This I had, because I kept thy precepts. ⁵⁷Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words. ⁵⁸I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word. ⁵⁹I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. ⁶⁰I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments. ⁶¹The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law. ⁶²At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments. ⁶³I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts. ⁶⁴The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes. ⁶⁵Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word. ⁶⁶Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments. ⁶⁷Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. ⁶⁸Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes. ⁶⁹The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. ⁷⁰Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law. ⁷¹It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. ⁷²The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver. ⁷³Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments. ⁷⁴They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word. ⁷⁵I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. ⁷⁶Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant. ⁷⁷Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight. ⁷⁸Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts. ⁷⁹Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies. ⁸⁰Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed. ⁸¹My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word. ⁸²Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me? ⁸³For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes. ⁸⁴How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me? ⁸⁵The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law. ⁸⁶All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me. ⁸⁷They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts. ⁸⁸Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth. ⁸⁹For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. ⁹⁰Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. ⁹¹They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants. ⁹²Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. ⁹³I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. ⁹⁴I am thine, save me: for I have sought thy precepts. ⁹⁵The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies. ⁹⁶I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad. ⁹⁷O how I love thy law! it is my meditation all the day. ⁹⁸Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. ⁹⁹I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. ¹⁰⁰I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. ¹⁰¹I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. ¹⁰²I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me. ¹⁰³How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! ¹⁰⁴Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. ¹⁰⁵Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. ¹⁰⁶I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments. ¹⁰⁷I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word. ¹⁰⁸Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments. ¹⁰⁹My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law. ¹¹⁰The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts. ¹¹¹Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. ¹¹²I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end. ¹¹³I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love. ¹¹⁴Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. ¹¹⁵Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God. ¹¹⁶Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. ¹¹⁷Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. ¹¹⁸Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood. ¹¹⁹Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies. ¹²⁰My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments. ¹²¹I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors. ¹²²Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me. ¹²³Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness. ¹²⁴Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes. ¹²⁵I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies. ¹²⁶It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law. ¹²⁷Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. ¹²⁸Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way. ¹²⁹Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. ¹³⁰The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. ¹³¹I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments. ¹³²Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. ¹³³Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. ¹³⁴Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts. ¹³⁵Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes. ¹³⁶Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law. ¹³⁷Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments. ¹³⁸Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful. ¹³⁹My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words. ¹⁴⁰Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. ¹⁴¹I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts. ¹⁴²Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. ¹⁴³Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights. ¹⁴⁴The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live. ¹⁴⁵I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes. ¹⁴⁶I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies. ¹⁴⁷I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word. ¹⁴⁸Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word. ¹⁴⁹Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment. ¹⁵⁰They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law. ¹⁵¹Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth. ¹⁵²Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever. ¹⁵³Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law. ¹⁵⁴Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word. ¹⁵⁵Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes. ¹⁵⁶Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments. ¹⁵⁷Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies. ¹⁵⁸I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word. ¹⁵⁹Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness. ¹⁶⁰Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. ¹⁶¹Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word. ¹⁶²I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. ¹⁶³I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love. ¹⁶⁴Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments. ¹⁶⁵Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. ¹⁶⁶LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments. ¹⁶⁷My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly. ¹⁶⁸I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee. ¹⁶⁹Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word. ¹⁷⁰Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word. ¹⁷¹My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes. ¹⁷²My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness. ¹⁷³Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts. ¹⁷⁴I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight. ¹⁷⁵Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me. ¹⁷⁶I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

English Standard Version
King James Version

¹At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? ²And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them ³and said, Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, ⁶but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. ⁷Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! ⁸And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. ⁹And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire. ¹⁰See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. ¹¹ ¹²What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? ¹³And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. ¹⁴So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. ¹⁵If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. ¹⁶But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. ¹⁷If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. ¹⁸Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. ¹⁹Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. ²⁰For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. ²¹Then Peter came up and said to him, Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times? ²²Jesus said to him, I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. ²³Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. ²⁵And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. ²⁶So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything. ²⁷And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. ²⁸But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, Pay what you owe. ²⁹So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, Have patience with me, and I will pay you. ³⁰He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. ³¹When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. ³²Then his master summoned him and said to him, You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. ³³And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you? ³⁴And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. ³⁵So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.

¹At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? ²And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, ³And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. ⁴Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. ⁶But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. ⁷Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! ⁸Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. ⁹And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. ¹⁰Take heed that ye 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 which is in heaven. ¹¹For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. ¹²How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? ¹³And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. ¹⁴Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. ¹⁵Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. ¹⁶But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. ¹⁷And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. ¹⁸Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. ¹⁹Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. ²⁰For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. ²¹Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? ²²Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. ²³Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. ²⁴And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. ²⁵But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. ²⁶The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. ²⁷Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. ²⁸But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. ²⁹And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. ³⁰And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. ³¹So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. ³²Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: ³³Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? ³⁴And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. ³⁵So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

English Standard Version
King James Version

¹Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. ²And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, This man receives sinners and eats with them. ³So he told them this parable: ⁴What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? ⁵And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost. ⁷Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. ⁸Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? ⁹And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost. ¹⁰Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents. ¹¹And he said, There was a man who had two sons. ¹²And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me. And he divided his property between them. ¹³Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. ¹⁴And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. ¹⁷But when he came to himself, he said, How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! ¹⁸I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. ¹⁹I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants. ²⁰And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. ²¹And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. ²²But the father said to his servants, Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. ²³And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. ²⁴For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to celebrate. ²⁵Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. ²⁷And he said to him, Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound. ²⁸But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, ²⁹but he answered his father, Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. ³⁰But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him! ³¹And he said to him, Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. ³²It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.

¹Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. ²And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. ³And he spake this parable unto them, saying, ⁴What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? ⁵And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. ⁷I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. ⁸Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? ⁹And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. ¹⁰Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. ¹¹And he said, A certain man had two sons: ¹²And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. ¹³And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. ¹⁴And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. ¹⁵And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. ¹⁶And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. ¹⁷And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! ¹⁸I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, ¹⁹And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. ²⁰And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. ²¹And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. ²²But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: ²³And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: ²⁴For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. ²⁵Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. ²⁶And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. ²⁷And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. ²⁸And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. ²⁹And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: ³⁰But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. ³¹And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. ³²It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

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