Luke 15

1All the tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to him to hear him.

2And both the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

3So he told them this parable, saying:

4What man among you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost one until he finds it?

5And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6And when he comes into the house, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost.’

7I tell you, in the same way there will be joy in heaven over one sinner who has a change of mind than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of one.

8Or what woman, having ten drachmas, if she loses one drachma, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?

9And when she has found it, she calls together her women friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, because I found the drachma that I had lost.’

10In the same way, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

11Then he said, “A certain man had two sons.”

12And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his livelihood between them.

13And after not many days, the younger son gathered everything together and went away to a distant country, and there he squandered his property, living recklessly.

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

15So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs.

16And he longed to fill his stomach with the carob pods that the pigs were eating, and no one was giving him anything.

17But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough bread, but here I am perishing from hunger!’

18I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you,’

19I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired workers.

20And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still far away, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him fervently.

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

22But the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly, bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.’

23And bring the fattened calf, slaughter it, and let us eat and celebrate,

24because this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found. And they began to celebrate.

25His older son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing,

26And calling one of the servants, he asked what these things might be.

27He said to him, “Your brother has come, and your father slaughtered the fattened calf, because he received him back safe and sound.”

28But he became angry and was unwilling to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him.

29But he answered his father, ‘Look, for so many years I have been serving you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends.’

30But when this son of yours came, the one who devoured your livelihood with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.

31And he said to him, ‘Child, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.’

32But it was necessary to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.