[1] Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him.
[2] And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This man receives
sinners and eats with them." [3] So he told them this parable: [4] "What
man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not
leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is
lost, until he finds it? [5] And when he has found it, he lays it on his
shoulders, rejoicing. [6] And when he comes home, he calls together his
friends and his neighbors, saying to them, `Rejoice with me, for I have
found my sheep which was lost.' [7] Just so, I tell you, there will be more
joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous
persons who need no repentance. [8] "Or what woman, having ten silver
coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and
seek diligently until she finds it? [9] And when she has found it, she
calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, `Rejoice with me, for I
have found the coin which I had lost.' [10] Just so, I tell you, there is
joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents." [11] And he
said, "There was a man who had two sons; [12] and the younger of them said
to his father, `Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.'
And he divided his living between them. [13] Not many days later, the
younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country,
and there he squandered his property in loose living. [14] And when he had
spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be
in want. [15] So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that
country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. [16] And he would
gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him
anything. [17] But when he came to himself he said, `How many of my
father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here
with 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] I am no longer
worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants."'
[20] And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a
distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him
and kissed him. [21] And the son said to him, `Father, I have sinned
against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your
son.' [22] But the father said to his servants, `Bring quickly the best
robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet;
[23] and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry;
[24] for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is
found.' And they began to make merry. [25] "Now his elder son was in the
field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and
dancing. [26] And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant.
[27] And he said to him, `Your brother has come, and your father has killed
the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' [28] But he
was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, [29]
but he answered his father, `Lo, these many years I have served you, and I
never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, 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 for him the fatted calf!'
[31] And he said to him, `Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine
is yours. [32] It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your
brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"