im; and turning
around he said to them, [14:26]If any one comes to me, and hates not
his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and
sisters, and still more his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
[14:27]And whoever does not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot
be my disciple. [14:28]For what man of you wishing to build a tower,
does not first sit down and estimate the expense, whether he has the
means to finish? [14:29]lest having laid its foundation, and not being
able to finish, all who see ridicule him, [14:30]saying, This man began
to build and was not able to finish. [14:31]Or what king going to
engage in war with another king, does not first sit down and consult
whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him that comes against him
with twenty thousand? [14:32]And if not, while he is yet a great way
off, sending an embassy he desires conditions of peace. [14:33]So,
therefore, no one of you can be my disciple who does not forsake all
that he has. [14:34]Salt, therefore, is good; but if the salt has lost
its strength, with what shall it be seasoned? [14:35] It is not fit for
land, nor for manure; they cast it away. He that has ears to hear, let
him hear.

CHAPTER XX.

PARABLES OF THE LOST SHEEP, THE LOST MONEY, AND THE PRODIGAL SON.

1 [15:1]AND all the publicans and sinners came near him to hear him.
[15:2]And both the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, This man
receives sinners and eats with them. [15:3]And he spoke to them this
parable; saying, [15:4]What man of you having a hundred sheep, and
losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness,
and go after the lost sheep till he finds it. [15:5]And finding it, he
puts it on his shoulders rejoicing; [15:6]and coming to the house, he
calls together his friends and neighbors, saying, Congratulate me; for
I have found my sheep that was lost. [15:7]So, I tell you, there shall
be joy in heaven over one sinner that changes his mind, more than over
ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need a change of mind.

2 [15:8]Or what woman having ten drachmas [140 cents], if she loses one
drachma [14 cents], does not light a candle, and sweep the house, and
seek carefully till she finds it? [15:9]And when she finds it, she
calls her female friends and neighbors together, saying, Congratulate
me, for I have found the drachma which I lost. [15:10]So, I tell you,
there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner