The Rabbi's teachings were well received by many, and tax collectors and other sinners were coming near him to listen to him. The Prushim and the sages began to grumble, saying, "This man accepts sinners and eats with them." So the Rabbi told them this parable,
"What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'
I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need teshuvah.
Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!'
In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of G-d over one sinner who repents from his sin."
This is the teaching of the Rabbi.