(25)And great multitudes followed him about: and he turned, and spoke to them, (26)If any man cometh after me, and hateth not father, and mother, and wife and children, and brothers, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. (27)And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, he cannot be my disciple. (28)For what man of you designing to erect a tower, doth not first sitting down calculate the expence, if he have sufficient to complete the work? (29)lest haply, after having laid the foundation, and being unable to finish it, all who look upon it begin to ridicule him, (30)saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. (31)Or what king, going forth to encounter another king in battle, doth not sit down first, and consult if he is able with ten thousand men to meet him who is coming against him with twenty thousand? (32)and if he be not, whilst he is still at a distance, he sendeth an embassy, and desires terms of peace. (33)So then, every one of you who will not part with all his possessions, cannot be my disciple. (34)Salt is good: but if the salt become insipid, by what shall it be seasoned? (35)It is neither fit for the land, nor for manure; but they cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. CHAP. XV. THEN drew nigh unto him all the tax-farmers and the sinners to hear him. (2)And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man entertains sinners, and eateth with them. (3)Then spake he unto them this parable, saying, (4)What man is there of you, possessing an hundred sheep, though he lose but one of them, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? (5)and when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. (6)And coming home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Congratulate me; for I have found that sheep of mine which was lost. (7)I tell you, that just so will there be joy in heaven over one repentant sinner, more than over ninety-nine righteous persons, who hold not their need of repentance. (8)Or what woman having ten pieces of silver coin, if she lose one of them, doth she not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and make diligent search until she find it? (9)And having found it, she calleth her female friends and neighbours together, saying, Congratulate me; for I have found the silver piece I had lost. (10)Even so, I tell you, there is joy among the angels of God, over one repentant sinner.