The Parable of the Lost Sheep
(Matthew 18:10-14)

1Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were drawing near to Him to hear Him. 2And both the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

3And He spoke to them this parable, saying, 4“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, does not leave the ninety nine in the open field, and go after the one having been lost, until he finds it? 5And having found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6And having come to the house, he calls together the friends and the neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep, the one having been lost!’ 7I say to you that in the same way there will be joy in heaven over one sinner repenting, rather than over ninety nine righteous ones who have no need of repentance.

The Parable of the Lost Coin

8Or what woman having ten drachmas,a if she should lose one drachma, does not light a lamp and sweep the house, and seek carefully until she finds it? 9And having found it, she calls together the friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma that I lost.’ 10Thus I say to you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner repenting.”

The Parable of the Prodigal Son
(Deuteronomy 21:18-21)

11And He said, “A certain man had two sons. 12And the younger of them said to the father, ‘Father, give to me the portion of the property falling to me.’ And he divided the property between them.

13And not many days later, the younger son having gathered together all, went away into a distant country, and there he wasted his estate, living prodigally.

14But of him having spent all, there arose a severe famine throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15And having gone, he joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16And he was longing to fill his belly from the pods that the pigs were eating, and no one was giving to him.

17But having come to himself, he was saying, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have abundance of bread, but here I am perishing with hunger? 18Having risen up, I will go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19no longer am I worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your servants.”’

20And having risen up, he went to his father. And he still being far distant, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and having run, fell upon his neck and kissed him.

21And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; no longer am I worthy to be called your son.’

22And the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and clothe him, and give him a ring for his hand and sandals for his feet; 23and having brought the fattened calf, kill it, and having eaten, let us be merry. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

25And his elder son was in the field, and while coming up, he drew near to the house; he heard music and dancing. 26And having called near one of the servants, he began inquiring what these things might be.

27And he said to him, ‘Your brother is come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him in good health.’

28But he was angry, and was not willing to go in. And his father, having gone, was begging him.

29And answering, he said to his father, ‘Behold, so many years I serve you, and never did I disobey a commandment of yours; and never did you give to me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 30But when this son of yours came, the one having devoured your living with prostitutes, you have killed the fattened calf for him!’

31And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32But it was fitting to make merry and to rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; and he was lost and is found.’”