15:1 Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were drawing near to hear Him; |
15:2 And the Pharisees and the scribes criticized Him, saying, "This Man welcomes sinners and eats with them." |
15:3 Then He spoke this parable to them, saying, |
15:4 "Which man of you who has a hundred sheep, and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost, searching until he finds it? |
15:5 And when he finds it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing; |
15:6 And after coming to his house, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' |
15:7 I tell you that likewise, there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety-nine righteous ones who have no need of repentance. |
15:8 Or what woman who has ten coins, if she should lose one, does not light a lamp and sweep the house, and search diligently until she finds it? |
15:9 And after finding it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I lost.' |
15:10 I tell you that in like manner, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents." |
15:11 Then He said, "A certain man had two sons; |
15:12 And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me that portion of the property which falls to me.' And he divided to them his living. |
15:13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered everything together and departed into a distant country. And there he wasted all his substance, living in debauchery. |
15:14 But after he had spent everything, there arose a severe famine throughout that country, and he began to be in need. |
15:15 Then he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. |
15:16 And he was longing to fill his stomach with the husks that the swine were eating, but no one gave anything to him. |
15:17 And when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have an abundance of bread, and I am dying of hunger? |
15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; |
15:19 And I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired servants." ' |
15:20 And he arose and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran and embraced him, and ardently kissed him. |
15:21 And his son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' |
15:22 But the father said to his servant, 'Bring out a robe, the best robe, and clothe him, and give him a ring for his hand and sandals for his feet; |
15:23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and be merry. |
15:24 For this my son was dead, but is alive again; and he was lost, but is found.' And they began to be merry. |
15:25 But his elder son was in a field; and when he was coming back, and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. |
15:26 And after calling one of the servants nearby, he inquired what these things might be. |
15:27 And he said to him, 'Your brother has come home, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him safe and well.' |
15:28 Then he was angry and would not go in. As a result, his father came out and pleaded with him. |
15:29 But he answered and said to his father, 'Behold, I have served you so many years, and never did I transgress your commandment; yet you never gave me a kid, so that I might make merry with my friends; |
15:30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed the fattened calf for him.' |
15:31 Then he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. |
15:32 But it was fitting to make merry and rejoice because your brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, but is found.' " |