Luke 15
1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners in order to hear him.
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were gathering around to listen to Jesus.
2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receives sinners, and eats with them.
So the Pharisees and scribes began to grumble: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 And he spoke this parable unto them, saying,
Then Jesus told them this parable:
4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?
5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders,
6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
comes home, and calls together his friends and neighbors to tell them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep!’
7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
In the same way, I tell you that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent.
8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, does not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
Or what woman who has ten silver coins and loses one of them does not light a lamp, sweep her house, and search carefully until she finds it?
9 And when she has found it, she calls her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
And when she finds it, she calls together her friends and neighbors to say, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost coin.’
10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents.
In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”
11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons.
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me. And he divided unto them his living.
The younger son said to him, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in lack.
After he had spent all he had, a severe famine swept through that country, and he began to be in need.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed the pigs.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
He longed to fill his belly with the pods the pigs were eating, but no one would give him a thing.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
Finally he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food? But here I am, starving to death!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before you,
I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
19 And am no more worthy to be called your son: make me as one of your hired servants.
I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight, and am no more worthy to be called your son.
The son declared, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
23 And bring here the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate.
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
For this son of mine was dead and is alive again! He was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing.
Meanwhile the older son was in the field, and as he approached the house, he heard music and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
So he called one of the servants and asked what was going on.
27 And he said unto him, Your brother has come; and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.
‘Your brother has returned,’ he said, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has him back safe and sound.’
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and implored him.
The older son became angry and refused to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him.
29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve you, neither transgressed I at any time your commandment: and yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
But he answered his father, ‘Look, all these years I have served you and never disobeyed a commandment of yours. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.
30 But as soon as this your son was come, which has devoured your living with harlots, you have killed for him the fatted calf.
But when this son of yours returns from squandering your wealth with prostitutes, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
31 And he said unto him, Son, you are ever with me, and all that I have is yours.
‘Son, you are always with me,’ the father said, ‘and all that is mine is yours.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this your brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
But it was fitting to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
