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.' "