Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear
him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man
receives sinners and eats with them.”
So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred
sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine
in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he
finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders,
rejoicing. 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 that was lost.’ 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.
“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? And when she has found it, she calls together her
friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found
the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before
the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger
of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property
that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them.
Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a
journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in
reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine
arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and
hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent
him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with
the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's
hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with
hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him,
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no
longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired
servants.”’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was
still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and
ran and embraced him and kissed him. 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.’ 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. And bring the fattened
calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was
dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they
began to celebrate.
“Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near
to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the
servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him,
‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened
calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he was
angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him,
but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served
you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a
young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this
son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes,
you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he said to him, ‘Son,
you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was
fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead,
and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”
