TSK · Luke 15:29

They seek me day after day; they want to know my requirements, like a nation that does what is right and does not reject the law of their God. They ask me for just decrees; they want to be near God.

by asking both the priests of the temple of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies and the prophets,“Should we weep in the fifth month, fasting as we have done over the years?”

You have said,‘It is useless to serve God. How have we been helped by keeping his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD of Heaven’s Armies?

I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to repent.

The Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector Jesus also told this parable to some who were confident that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else.

You know the commandments:‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’”

For no one is declared righteous before him by the works of the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.

And I was once alive apart from the law, but with the coming of the commandment sin became alive

– though mine too are significant. If someone thinks he has good reasons to put confidence in human credentials, I have more:

The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give him some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on that stone will be written a new name that no one can understand except the one who receives it.’