Luke 15
1 Then drew near to him all the tax collectors and sinners to hear him.
Tax collectors and other “sinners” often used to come and listen to Jesus.
2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
As a result the Pharisees and the religious teachers complained, “This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them.”
3 And he spoke this parable to them, saying,
So Jesus told them this story as an illustration.
4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he loseth one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he findeth it?
“Imagine a man who had a hundred sheep lost one of them. Wouldn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture, and search for the one that's lost until he finds it?
5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
When he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders.
6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
Once he gets home, he calls his friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Come and celebrate with me! I've found my lost sheep!’
7 I say to you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine righteous persons, who need no repentance.
I tell you that there's more joy in heaven over a sinner that repents than over ninety-nine good people who don't need to repent.
8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she loseth one piece, doth not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she findeth it?
Imagine a woman who has ten silver coins, and loses one of them. Wouldn't she light a lamp and sweep the house, carefully searching until she finds it?
9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
When she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Come and celebrate with me! I've found the silver coin that I lost.’
10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
I tell you there is joy in the presence of God's angels over one sinner that repents.
11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
Once there was a man who had two sons,” Jesus explained.
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided to them his living.
“The younger one told his father, ‘Father, give me my inheritance now.’ So the man 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.
A few days later the younger son packed up what he had and left for a distant country. Here he wasted all his money living a reckless life.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
After he'd spent everything, the country was hit by a severe famine and he was starving.
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 took a job with one of the farmers there who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.
16 And he was longing to fill his belly with the husks that the swine ate: and no man gave to him.
He was so hungry that he would have eaten even the pig food, but no one gave him anything.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father have bread enough and to spare, and I am perishing with hunger!
When he came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘All of my father's workers have more than enough to eat—why am I dying from hunger here?
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
I'm going home to my father! I'll tell him, Father, I've sinned against heaven and against you.
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
I'm no longer worthy to be called your son. Please treat me as one of your hired workers.’
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 left and went home to his father. Even though he was still far away in the distance, his father saw him coming, and his heart went out to his son. The father ran to his son, hugging and kissing him.
21 And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
The son said to him, ‘Father, I've sinned against heaven and against you. I'm 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 told 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 calf we've been fattening and kill it. Let's have a feast to celebrate
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
because this is my son who was dead, but who has returned alive; he was lost but now he's found.’ So they started celebrating.
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.
Now the older son was working out in the fields. As he walked towards 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 to him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
‘Your brother is back,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he's come home safe and sound.’
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore his father came out, and entreated him.
The brother became angry. He refused to go in. So his father came out to plead with him.
29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither have I at any time transgressed thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
He told his father, ‘Look, all these years I've served you, and never disobeyed you, but you never once gave me even a young goat so I could have a party with my friends.
30 But as soon as this thy son had come, who hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
Now this son of yours comes back, having spent your money on prostitutes, and you kill the fattened calf for him!’
31 And he said to him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
‘Son,’ the father replied, ‘you are always here with me. Everything I have is yours.
32 It was right that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
But we should be happy and celebrate! This is your brother who was dead, but who has returned alive; he was lost but now he's found!’”
