1. Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to
hear him.
2. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man
receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
3. And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
4. What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of
them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness,
and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5. And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders,
rejoicing.
6. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and
neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have
found my sheep which was lost.
7. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over
one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine
just persons, which need no repentance.
8. Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose
one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and
seek diligently till she find 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.
10. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of
the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
11. And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12. And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me
the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto
them his living.
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.
14. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in
that land; and he began to be in want.
15. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country;
and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that
the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
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!
18. I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him,
Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19. And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one
of thy 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.
21. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against
heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called
thy 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:
23. And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us
eat, and be merry:
24. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost,
and is found. And they began to be merry.
25. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew
nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these
things meant.
27. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father
hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him
safe and sound.
28. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his
father out, and intreated him.
29. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do
I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy
commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I
might make merry with my friends:
30. But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured
thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted
calf.
31. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all
that I have is thine.
32. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this
thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and
is found.