Light-Giving (Luke) 15

 15 

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

² But The Separates (Pharisees) and scribes murmured, saying, “This man receives sinners, and eats with them.”

³ So He spoke this parable to them, saying,

^4 “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he finds it?

⁵ 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 joy will be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons, who need no repentance.

⁸ Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she loses one piece, does not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she finds it?

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 tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”

¹¹ Then 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 his possessions between them.

¹³ 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 So he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country who sent him into his fields to feed swine.

¹⁶ He longed to fill his belly with the husks that the swine ate: but no one would give to him.

¹⁷ 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 to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before you,

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

²⁰ So he arose and went to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and hugged, and kissed him.

²¹ And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight. I am no more worthy to be called your 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 get 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 celebrate.

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

²⁶ So he called one of the servants, and asked what was going on.

²⁷ And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come; and your father has killed the fatted 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 entreated him.

²⁹ He answered, saying to his father, “Look, these many years I have served you, and done everything you’ve asked, and yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

³⁰ But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your money with harlots, you have killed the fatted calf for him!’

³¹ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are ever with me, and all that I have is yours.

³² It was right that we should make merry, and be glad: for your brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost and is found.’”