Luke 15

1Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were drawing near to him to hear him.

2And the Pharisees and scribes were grumbling, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."

3So he spoke this parable to them, saying.

4Which man among you who owns a hundred sheep and loses one of them does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until he finds it?

5And when he finds it, he puts it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6When he came home, he called his friends and neighbors together, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, because I found my sheep, the lost one.”

7I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous who need no repentance.

8Or what woman, having ten drachmas, if she loses one drachma, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and seek diligently until she finds it?

9And when she finds it, she calls together friends and neighbors, saying, "Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma that I lost."

10So I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner repenting.

11And he said, "A certain man had two sons."

12And the younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the portion of the estate falling to me.” And he divided his living among them.

13And not long after, the younger son gathered everything and traveled to a distant country, and there squandered his property living wastefully.

14After he had spent everything, a severe famine arose throughout that region, and he began to be in need.

15He went and attached himself to one of that region's citizens, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.

16And he longed to fill his belly with the husks that the swine were eating, and no one gave him any.

17But when he came to himself, he said, "How many hired servants of my father have more than enough bread, while I perish here from hunger!"

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

19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.

20He got up and went to his own father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him, felt deep compassion, ran, fell on his neck, and kissed him.

21The son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”

22But the father said to his servants, "Quickly bring out the finest robe and clothe him in it; put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet."

23And bring the fatted calf, kill it, and let us eat and rejoice.

24Because this son of mine was dead and came back to life, he was lost and was found. And they began to rejoice.

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

26And calling one of the servants to him, he asked what these things might be.

27He said to him, “Your brother has come, and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf, because he received him back safe and sound.”

28He grew angry and refused to enter, but his father came out and urged him.

29But he answered his father, “Look, these many years I serve you, and never once did I transgress a command of yours, yet never did you give me a kid so I might rejoice with my friends.”

30But when this son of yours came, who devoured your livelihood with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him.

31But he said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.”

32But it was fitting to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and came to life; he was lost and was found.