"I have not cometo callthe righteousbut sinnersto repentance."
For thussaysthe highand exaltedOne Who livesforever,whose nameis Holy,"I dwell[on] a highand holyplace, And [also] with the contriteand lowlyof spiritIn order to revivethe spiritof the lowlyAnd to revivethe heartof the contrite.
"Seethat you do not despiseoneof theselittle ones,for I sayto you that their angelsin heavencontinuallyseethe faceof My Fatherwho is in heaven.
"But goand learnwhatthis means:I DESIRECOMPASSION,AND NOT SACRIFICE,'for I did not cometo callthe righteous,but sinners."
For he was awarethat the chief priestshad handedHim over becauseof envy.
The man namedBarabbashad beenimprisonedwith the insurrectionistswhohad committedmurderin the insurrection.
And hearing[this], Jesussaidto them, "[It is] not thosewho are healthywho needa physician,but thosewho are sick;I did not cometo callthe righteous,but sinners."
"In the same way,I tellyou, there is joyin the presenceof the angelsof Godoveronesinnerwho repents."
"I tellyou that in the same way,there will be [more] joyin heavenoveronesinnerwho repentsthanoverninety-ninerighteous personswhoneednorepentance.
"For the Sonof Manhas cometo seekand to savethat which was lost."
and that repentancefor forgivenessof sinswould be proclaimedin His nameto allthe nations,beginningfrom Jerusalem.
And Jesusansweredand saidto them, "[It is] not thosewho are wellwho needa physician,but thosewho are sick.
And they saidto Him, "The disciplesof Johnoftenfastand offerprayers,the [disciples] of the Phariseesalsodo the same,but Yourseatand drink."
"Thereforehaving overlookedthe timesof ignorance,Godis nowdeclaringto menthat all[people] everywhereshould repent,
Peter[said] to them, "Repent,and eachof you be baptizedin the nameof JesusChristfor the forgivenessof your sins;and you will receivethe giftof the HolySpirit.
solemnly testifyingto bothJewsand Greeksof repentancetowardGodand faithin our LordJesusChrist.
"Thereforerepentand return,sothat your sinsmay be wiped away,in orderthat timesof refreshingmay comefrom the presenceof the Lord;
"For you first,Godraisedup His Servantand sentHim to blessyou by turningevery one[of you] from your wicked ways."
"He is the one whom Godexaltedto His right handas a Princeand a Savior,to grantrepentanceto Israel,and forgivenessof sins.
The Lordis not slowabout His promise,as somecountslowness,but is patienttowardyou, not wishingfor anyto perishbut for allto cometo repentance.
