15:6a

and calls together his friends and neighbors: This clause indicates that he invites his friends and neighbors to come to his house, probably for a feast or celebration.

neighbors: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as neighbors refers to the people who lived nearby.

15:6b

to tell them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep!’: In some languages it may be more natural to use indirect speech and to say:

…and he will invite them to rejoice with him, because he has found his missing sheep.

to tell them: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to tell them is literally “saying.” It introduces what the shepherd said to his friends and neighbors. He may have said this as his invitation to them or in addition to other words of invitation.

Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep!: The Greek text connects these two clauses with a conjunction that is often translated as “because.” The shepherd had found his sheep, and that was the reason why he wanted to rejoice:

Rejoice with me for/because I have found my lost sheep.

In some languages it may be necessary to reverse the order of the two clauses:

I have found my lost sheep! ⌊So come,⌋ rejoice with me!

Rejoice with: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Rejoice with means “be happy with” or “be glad with.”

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