Luke 15

 

1 Then all the tax collectors and sinners drew near to Him to hear Him.

 

2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receives sinners (those they deemed unacceptable to God), and eats with them.

 

3 And He spoke this parable to them, saying,

 

4 Which of you men, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after that one which is lost, until he finds it?

 

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

 

6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.

 

7 I say to you, that likewise there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner (who was created for life but is enslaved by death) that repents (who was lost and perishing but is now found, who was dead but is now alive), more than over ninety and nine just persons, who needed no repentance.

 

8 Or what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she loses one piece, does not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she finds it? (That which is lost does not become less valuable because it is lost)

 

9 And when she has found it, she calls her friends and her neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

 

10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents (from looking to themselves and calls upon the name of the Lord).

 

11 And He said, A certain man had two sons:

 

12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give to me the portion of goods that falls to me. And he divided to (both of) 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 (that he had), there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he (being destitute) began to be in need.

 

15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed the swine.

 

16 And he would long to have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave (anything) to him.

 

17 And when he came to himself (to his senses), he said, How many hired servants of my fathers have enough bread and (even more) to spare, and I am perishing with hunger!

 

18 I will rise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before you,

 

19 And I am no longer worthy of being called your son: make me like one of your hired servants.

 

20 And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and (being rent on the inside) ran, fell on his neck, and kissed him.

 

21 And the son said (what he had rehearsed) to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son.

 

22 But (ignoring what he said) the father said to his servants, Bring out the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

 

23 And bring out the fattest calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and (rejoice and) be glad:

 

24 For this, my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and now is found. And they began to rejoice.

 

25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.

 

26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.

 

27 And he said to him, Your brother has come (home); and your father has killed the fattest calf, because he has received him safe and sound.

 

28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore, his father came out and pleaded with him (to come in).

 

29 And he answered his father, See, all these many years I have served you, neither have I disobeyed your commandments at any time: and yet you never gave me a kid (a skinny young goat), so that I might celebrate with my friends:

 

30 But as soon as your (disrespectful and disobedient) son came (home), who has devoured your living (the life you offered him) with prostitutes, you have killed for him the fattest calf.

 

31 And he said to him, Son, you were always with me, and all that I have is yours (anything that is mine is yours).

 

32 It was fitting that we ought to rejoice and be glad: for your brother was dead and is alive again; and was lost and is found (so does all heaven rejoice at this).