Luke

15 But all the tax-collectors and the sinners were unto him drawing near to be hearkening unto him;

2 and both the Pharisees and the Scribes were murmuring, saying—This man unto sinners giveth welcome, and eateth with them.

3 And he spake unto them this parable, saying—

4 What man from among you having a hundred sheep and losing from among them one doth not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go his way after the lost one, until he find it?

5 And finding it he layeth it upon his shoulders rejoicing;

6 and coming unto his house calleth together the friends and the neighbours, saying unto them—Rejoice with me! because I have found my sheep that was lost!

7 I say unto you—Thus joy in heaven will there be over one sinner repenting, rather than over ninety-nine righteous persons who indeed have no need of repentance.

8 Or what woman having ten pieces of silver if she lose one piece doth not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek carefully, until she find it?

9 And having found it she calleth together her female friends and neighbours, saying—Rejoice with me! because I have found the piece of silver which I had lost.

10 Thus I say unto you there ariseth joy in presence of the messengers of God, over one sinner repenting.

11 And he said—A certain man had two sons.

12 And the younger of them said unto the father—Father! give me the share that falleth to me of what there is. And he divided unto them the living.

13 And after not many days the younger son gathering all together left home for a country far away, and there squandered his substance with riotous living.

14 And when he had spent all there arose a mighty famine throughout that country,—and he began to be in want.

15 And he went his way and joined himself unto one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to be feeding swine.

16 And he used to long to be filled with the pods which the swine were eating; and no man was giving unto him.

17 But coming to himself he said—How many hired servants of my father have bread enough and to spare, Whereas I with famine here am perishing!

18 I will arise and go unto my father, and will say unto him—Father! I have sinned against heaven and before thee:

19 No longer am I worthy to be called a son of thine,—Make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose and came unto his own father.

20 Now while yet he was holding afar off his father saw him, and was moved with compassion and running fell upon his neck, and tenderly kissed him.

21 And the son said unto him—Father! I have sinned against heaven and before thee: No longer am I worthy to be called a son of thine,—[Make me as one of thy hired servants.]

22 But the father said unto his servants—Quick! bring forth a robe—the best! and put on him, And get out a ring for his hand and sandals for his feet.

23 And be bringing the fatted calf, sacrifice! and let us eat and make merry:

24 Because this my son Was dead and hath come to life again, Was lost and is found. And they began to be making merry.

25 But his elder son was in a field; and as in coming he drew near unto the house he heard music and dancing,—

26 and calling near one of the youths he inquired what these things could be.

27 And he said unto him,—Thy brother hath come, And thy father hath sacrificed the fatted calf because safe and sound hath he received him back.

28 But he was provoked to anger, and would not go in. And his father coming out began to entreat him.

29 But he answering said unto his father—Lo! so many years as these do I serve thee, And at no time a commandment of thine have I transgressed,—And unto me at no time hast thou given a kid, that with my friends I might make merry;

30 But when this thy son, who had devoured thy living with harlots came thou didst sacrifice for him the fatted calf.

31 But he said unto him—Child! thou always art with me, And all that is mine is thine;

32 But to make merry and rejoice there was need, Because this thy brother—Was dead and hath come to life again, And was lost and is found.