< Luke 15 >
1 And all the publicans and sinners were drawing nigh to Him to hear Him.
2 And the Pharisees and scribes were murmuring, saying, that, He receives sinners, and eats with them.
3 And He spoke this parable to them, saying,
4 What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine in the desert, and go after the lost one, until he may find it?
5 And having found it, places it on his shoulders, rejoicing:
6 and having come into the house, calls together the friends and neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep which was lost.
7 I say unto you that so there will be joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, rather than ninety and nine just persons who have not need of repentance.
8 Or what woman having ten drachmae, if she may lose one drachma, does she not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she may find it?
9 And having found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, because I have found the drachma which I lost.
10 So, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
11 And He said, A certain man had two sons.
12 And the younger of them said to the father, Father, give to me the portion of the estate that falls to me. And he immediately divided unto them his living.
13 And not many days afterward the younger son gathering all together, departed into a far-off country; and there wasted his substance living riotously.
14 And he having expended all, a severe famine came into that country; and he began to be in want.
15 And having gone he joined himself to one of the citizens of that country: and he sent him into his fields to feed swine:
16 and he was desiring to fill his stomach from the pods, which the swine were eating: and no one gave unto him:
17 and having come to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father have bread in abundance, but here I perish with hunger!
18 Having risen I will go to my father, and say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight:
19 and I am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And having risen, he came to his father. And he being yet a great way off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and having run, fell upon his neck, and kissed him copiously.
21 And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: and I am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 And the father said to his servants, Bring hither the first robe, and put it on him; and give a ring to his hand, and sandals to his feet:
23 and bring hither the fatted calf, slay him, and eating, let us be merry:
24 because this my son was dead, and is alive again; was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25 And his elder son was in the field: and while coming he drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.
26 And calling one of the servants, asked him what these things might be.
27 And he said to him, Because thy brother has come; and thy father has slain the fatted calf, because he received him sound.
28 And he was angry, and did not wish to come in: and his father having gone out, continued to intreat him. And responding he said to the father,
29 Behold, I serve thee so many years, and have never transgressed thy commandment: and thou hast never given me a kid, that I may rejoice with my friends:
30 but when this thy son, the one devouring thy living with harlots came, thou hast slain for him the fatted calf.
31 And he said to him, Child, thou art always with me, and all mine are thine:
32 and it behooved me to be glad and rejoice; because this thy brother was dead, and is alive; was lost, and is found.
