t renounceth not all that he hath, he cannot be my
disciple. Salt therefore is good: but if even the salt have lost its
savor, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is fit neither for the land
nor for the dunghill: men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let
him hear."

THE NINETY AND NINE.

Now all the publicans and sinners were drawing near unto him to hear
him. And both the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This
man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them."

And he spake unto them this parable, saying, "What man of you, having
a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, doth not leave the
ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost,
until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his
shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his
friends and his neighbors, saying unto them, 'Rejoice with me, for I
have found my sheep which was lost.' I say unto you, that even so
there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than
over ninety and nine righteous persons, who need no repentance.

THE LOST COIN.

"Or what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece,
doth not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until
she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth together her
friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the
piece which I had lost.' Even so, I say unto you, there is joy in the
presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."

THE PRODIGAL SON.

And he said, "A certain man had two sons: and the younger of them said
to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of thy substance that
falleth to me.' And he divided unto them his living. And not many days
after, the younger son gathered all together and took his journey into
a far country; and there he wasted his substance with riotous living.
And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that
country; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to
one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields
to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks
that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. But when he came to
himself he said, 'How many hired servants of my father's have bread
enough and to spare, and I perish here with hunger! I will arise and
go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against
heaven, and in thy