I say unto you—Thus, joy in heaven, will there be, over one sinner repenting, rather than over ninety-nine righteous persons, who indeed have, no need, of repentance.
Let the lawless forsake his way, And the man of iniquity, his thoughts,—And let him return unto Yahweh That he may have compassion upon him, And unto our God, For he will abundantly pardon.
But, he, answering said unto his father—Lo! so many years as these, do I serve thee, and, at no time, a commandment of thine, have I transgressed,—And, unto me, at no time, hast thou given a kid, that, with my friends, I might make merry;
Who gave himself up in our behalf, that he might redeem us from all manner of lawlessness, and purify for himself a people as his own treasure—zealous of noble works.
Come, I pray you, and let us settle the disputer Saith Yahweh,—Though your sins be found like scarlet, As snow, shall they be made white, Though they appear red like crimson, As wool, shall they become.
And he said unto them—Ye, are they who justify themselves before men, but, God, knoweth your hearts; because, that which amongst men is lofty, is an abomination before God.
Beware! do not despise one of these little ones; For I say unto you—that, their messengers in the heavens, do, continually, behold the face of my Father in the heavens.
But—both to them in Damascus, first, and in Jerusalem, unto all the country of Judaea also, and unto the nations, I carried tidings—that they should repent, and turn unto God, and, works worthy of their repentance, should practise.