Luke 15

1. Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were drawing near to hear Him;

2. And the Pharisees and the scribes criticized Him, saying, “This Man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

3. Then He spoke this parable to them, saying,

4. “Which man of you who has a hundred sheep, and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost, searching until he finds it?

5. And when he finds it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing;

6. And after coming to his house, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’

7. I tell you that likewise, there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety-nine righteous ones who have no need of repentance.

8. Or what woman who has ten coins, if she should lose one, does not light a lamp and sweep the house, and search diligently until she finds it?

9. And after finding it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I lost.’

10. I tell you that in like manner, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

11. Then He said, “A certain man had two sons;

12. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me that portion of the property which falls to me.’ And he divided to them his living.

13. And not many days after, the younger son gathered everything together and departed into a distant country. And there he wasted all his substance, living in debauchery.

14. But after he had spent everything, there arose a severe famine throughout that country, and he began to be in need.

15. Then he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

16. And he was longing to fill his stomach with the husks that the swine were eating, but no one gave anything to him.

17. And when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have an abundance of bread, and I am dying of hunger?

18. I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you;

19. And I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired servants.” ‘

20. And he arose and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran and embraced him, and ardently kissed him.

21. And his son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22. But the father said to his servant, ‘Bring out a robe, the best robe, and clothe him, and give him a ring for his hand and sandals for his feet;

23. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and be merry.

24. For this my son was dead, but is alive again; and he was lost, but is found.’ And they began to be merry.

25. But his elder son was in a field; and when he was coming back, and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.

26. And after calling one of the servants nearby, he inquired what these things might be.

27. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come home, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him safe and well.’

28. Then he was angry and would not go in. As a result, his father came out and pleaded with him.

29. But he answered and said to his father, ‘Behold, I have served you so many years, and never did I transgress your commandment; yet you never gave me a kid, so that I might make merry with my friends;

30. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed the fattened calf for him.’

31. Then he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.

32. But it was fitting to make merry and rejoice because your brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, but is found.’ “