Luke 15
1 All the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to Jesus to hear him.
2 And the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law were grumbling, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 So he told them this parable:
4 “Which one of you, with a hundred sheep and having lost one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until he finds it?
5 And when he finds it, he puts it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 When he gets home, he gathers his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep.’
7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who do not need to repent.
8 Or what woman, with ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, would not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?
9 And when she finds it, she gathers her friends and neighbors and says, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found the coin I had lost.’
10 In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”
11 And he said, “A man had two sons.
12 The younger said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that belongs to me.’ And he divided his living between them.
13 A few days later, the younger son gathered everything together and left for a distant country. There he squandered his property, living recklessly.
14 After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he began to be in need.
15 So he went and attached himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to tend pigs.
16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 Then he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough bread, while I am here dying of hunger!
18 I will get up, go to my father, and say to him, «Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.
19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired workers.»’
20 So he got up and went to his father. While he was still far away, his father saw him and was moved with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him repeatedly.
21 The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly, bring the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.
23 Bring the fattened calf and slaughter it; let’s eat and celebrate.
24 For this son of mine was dead and has come back to life; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.”
25 “His older son was in the field. As he came back and neared the house, he heard music and dancing.
26 He called one of the servants and asked what was going on.
27 He said, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’
28 But the older son became angry and did not want to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him.
29 He answered his father, ‘Look, all these years I have served you and never disobeyed one of your commands, yet you have never given me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.
30 But when this son of yours arrived, the one who devoured your property with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’
31 He said to him, ‘My child, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.
32 But it was necessary to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and came back to life; he was lost and has been found.’”
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