| There were ninety and nine that safely lay
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| In the shelter of the flock,
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| But one was out on the hills away,
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| Far off in the darks and cold;
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| Away on the mountains wild and bare,
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| Away from the tender Shepherd’s care.
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| Away from the tender Shepherd’s care.
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| «Lord, Thou hast here Thy ninety and nine;
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| Are they not enough for Thee?»
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| But the Shepherd made answer: «This of Mine
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| Has wandered away from Me;
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| And although the hills may be rough and steep,
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| I go to the desert to find My sheep.»
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| I go to the desert to find My sheep."
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| But none of the ransomed ever knew
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| How deep were the waters crossed;
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| Nor how dark was the night that the Lord passed through
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| Ere He found His sheep that was lost.
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| Loud in the Desert He heard its cry—
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| Sick and helpless, and ready to die.
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| Sick and helpless, and ready to die.
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| «Lord, whence are those blood-drops all the way
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| That mark out the mountain’s track?»
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| «They were shed for one who had gone astray
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| Ere the Shepherd could bring him back.»
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| «Lord, whence are Thy hands so rent and torn?»
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| «They're pierced tonight by many a thorn.»
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| And all through the mountains, thunder-riven,
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| And up from the rocky steep,
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| There arose a cry to the gate of heaven,
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| «Rejoice! |
| I have found My sheep!»
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| And the angels echoed around the throne,
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| «Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own!»
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| «Rejoice, rejoice»
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| «Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own!». |