Luke 15
1 THEN drew nigh unto him all the tax-farmers and the sinners to hear him.
Now all the tax collectors and other sinners were coming to Jesus to listen to him.
2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man entertains sinners, and eateth with them.
Both the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled to each other, saying, “This man welcomes sinners, and even eats with them.”
3 Then spake he unto them this parable, saying,
Jesus spoke this parable to them, saying,
4 What man is there of you, possessing an hundred sheep, though he lose but one of them, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
“Which one of you, if he has a hundred sheep and then loses one of them, will not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the lost one until he finds it?
5 and when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
Then when he has found it, he lays it across his shoulders and rejoices.
6 And coming home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Congratulate me; for I have found that sheep of mine which was lost.
When he comes to the house, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep.'
7 I tell you, that just so will there be joy in heaven over one repentant sinner, more than over ninety-nine righteous persons, who hold not their need of repentance.
I say to you that even so, there will be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
8 Or what woman having ten pieces of silver coin, if she lose one of them, doth she not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and make diligent search until she find it?
Or what woman who has ten silver coins, if she were to lose one coin, would not light a lamp, sweep the house, and seek diligently until she has found it?
9 And having found it, she calleth her female friends and neighbours together, saying, Congratulate me; for I have found the silver piece I had lost.
When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I lost.'
10 Even so, I tell you, there is joy among the angels of God, over one repentant sinner.
Even so, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
11 Then he said, A certain man had two sons:
Then Jesus said, “A certain man had two sons,
12 and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of substance which falls to my share. And he divided with them his fortune.
and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of the wealth that falls to me.' So he divided his property between them.
13 And not many days after, the younger son, collecting his all, travelled into a far distant country, and there dissipated his substance in a life of debauchery.
Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he owned and went to a country far away, and there he wasted all his wealth by living recklessly.
14 But when he had spent all, there came a terrible famine in that region; and he began to know want.
Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine spread through that country, and he began to be in need.
15 And he went and connected himself with one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
He went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.
16 And he eagerly longed to fill his belly with the charob berries which the swine did eat: and no person gave him a morsel.
He would gladly have eaten the carob pods that the pigs ate, because no one gave him anything.
17 Then coming to himself, he said, How many hirelings of my father abound with loaves of bread, and I am pining away with famine!
But when the young son came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough food, and I am here, dying from hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
I will leave here and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
19 and I am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hirelings.
I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired servants.”'
20 And he arose and came to his father. But when he was yet at a considerable distance, his father discovered him, and was moved with compassion, and running, fell on his neck, and kissed him again and again.
So the young son left and came toward his father. While he was still far away, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and he ran and embraced him and kissed him.
21 Then said the son unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring out the best robe, and clothe him; and put a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet:
The father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet.
23 and bring hither the stall-fed steer, and kill it; and let us eat, and be joyous.
Then bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us celebrate with a feast!
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. And they began to be joyous.
For my son was dead, and now he is alive. He was lost, and now he is found.' Then they began to celebrate.
25 Now his elder brother had been in the field: and when coming home he drew near the house, he heard a concert of music, and the chorus.
Now his older son was out in the field. As he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.
26 And calling one of the servants, he inquired what these things meant.
He called to one of the servants and asked what these things might be.
27 And he said, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed for him the stall-fed steer, because he hath received him in health.
The servant said to him, 'Your brother has come home and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has returned safely.'
28 Then he was in great wrath, and would not enter the doors: therefore his father came out, and entreated him.
The older son was angry and would not go in, and his father came out and begged him.
29 But he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years I am serving thee, and never have transgressed thy command: yet to me thou hast never once given a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
But the older son answered and said to his father, 'Look, these many years I slaved for you, and I never broke a rule of yours, and yet you never gave me a young goat that I might celebrate with my friends,
30 but no sooner is this son of thine come, who hath devoured thy substance with whores, than thou hast killed for him the stall-fed steer.
but when your son came, who has devoured your living with prostitutes, you killed for him the fattened calf.'
31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all my possessions are thine.
The father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.
32 But it was right that we should rejoice, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
But it was proper for us to feast and be happy, for this brother of yours was dead, and is now alive; he was lost, and has now been found.'”
