Christian Standard Bible

English Standard Version

1All the tax collectors and sinners were approaching to listen to him.

1Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him.

2And the Pharisees and scribes were complaining, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."

2And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

3So he told them this parable:

3So he told them this parable:

4"What man among you, who has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open field and go after the lost one until he finds it?

4“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost 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?

5When he has found it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders,

5And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6and coming home, he calls his friends and neighbors together, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!'

6And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his 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 people who don't need repentance.

7Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

8"Or what woman who has ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?

8“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?

9When she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, because I have found the silver coin I lost!'

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.’

10I tell you, in the same way, there is joy in the presence of God's angels over one sinner who repents."

10Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

11He also said: "A man had two sons.

11And he said, “There was a man who had two sons.

12The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the estate I have coming to me.' So he distributed the assets to them.

12And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them.

13Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squandered his estate in foolish living.

13Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.

14After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing.

14And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.

15Then he went to work for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.

15So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.

16He longed to eat his fill from the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one would give him anything.

16And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

17When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired workers have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger!

17“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!

18I'll get up, go to my father, and say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight.

18I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.

19I'm no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired workers.'"

19I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’

20So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him.

20And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

21The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I'm no longer worthy to be called your son.'

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.’

22"But the father told his servants, 'Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

22But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.

23Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let's celebrate with a feast,

23And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.

24because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' So they began to celebrate.

24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

25"Now his older son was in the field; as he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.

25“Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.

26So he summoned one of the servants, questioning what these things meant.

26And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.

27'Your brother is here,' he told him, 'and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'

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.’

28"Then he became angry and didn't want to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him.

28But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him,

29But he replied to his father, 'Look, I have been slaving many years for you, and I have never disobeyed your orders, yet you never gave me a goat so that I could celebrate with my friends.

29but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.

30But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.'

30But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’

31"'Son,' he said to him, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.

31And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.

32But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'"

32It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.