1Now all the tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to him to hear him.
2And both the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3So he spoke this parable to them, saying:
4“What man among you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?
5And when he finds it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’
7I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who have no need of repentance.
8“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?
9And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’
10In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
11And he said, “A certain man had two sons.
12And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.’ And he divided his livelihood between them.
13Not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.
14And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.
15So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.
16And he was longing to fill his stomach with the carob pods that the pigs were eating, but no one would give him any.
17“But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I am dying here of hunger!
18I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.
19I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’
20And he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran, fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21And the 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 best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.
23And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.
24For this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.
25Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.
26So he called one of the servants and began to ask what these things could mean.
27And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’
28But he became angry and was unwilling to go in. So his father came out and began to plead with him.
29But he answered his father, ‘Look, for so many years I have been slaving for you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me so much as a young goat, so that I could celebrate with my friends.
30But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’
31And he said to him, ‘My child, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.
32But it was necessary to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’
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