and come after me, can not be my disciple. (28)For
who of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down, and
count the cost, whether he has sufficient to finish it? (29)Lest
haply, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all
that behold begin to mock him, (30)saying: This man began to build,
and was not able to finish. (31)Or what king, going to make war
against another king, does not first sit down and consult, whether he
is able, with ten thousand, to meet him who comes against him with
twenty thousand? (32)Else, while he is yet a great way off, he sends
an embassy, and desires conditions of peace.

(33)So then, whoever of you forsakes not all that he has can not be my
disciple. (34)Salt therefore is good; but if even the salt has become
tasteless, wherewith shall it be seasoned? (35)It is fit neither for
the land, nor for the dunghill; they cast it out. He that has ears to
hear, let him hear.

XV.

AND there were drawing near to him all the publicans and the sinners
to hear him. (2)And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying:
This man receives sinners, and eats with them.

(3)And he spoke this parable to them, saying: (4)What man of you,
having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, does not leave
the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is
lost, until he finds it? (5)And having found it, he lays it on his
shoulders, rejoicing. (6)And coming home, he calls together his
friends and neighbors, saying to them: Rejoice with me; because I
found my sheep which was lost. (7)I say to you, that so there will be
joy in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and
nine just persons, who have no need of repentance.

(8)Or what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece,
does not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek carefully till
she finds it? (9)And having found it, she calls her friends and
neighbors together, saying: Rejoice with me; because I found the piece
which I lost. (10)So, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of
the angels of God over one sinner that repents.

(11)And he said: A certain man had two sons. (12)And the younger of
them said to his father: Father, give me the portion of the property
that falls to me. And he divided to them his living. (13)And not many
days after, the younger son gathered all together, and went abroad
into a far country, and there wasted his substance in riotous living.