English Standard Version

New American Standard Bible 1995

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

1Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him.

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

2Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them."

3So he told them this parable:

3So He told them this parable, saying,

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?

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

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

5"When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

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.’

6"And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'

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.

7"I tell you that in the same way, 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, 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?

8"Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and 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.’

9"When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!'

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

10"In 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, “There was a man who had two sons.

11And He said, "A man had two sons.

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.

12"The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.' So he divided his wealth between them.

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.

13"And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living.

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

14"Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished.

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

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

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

16"And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him.

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!

17"But when he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger!

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

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

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

19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men."'

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.

20"So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him 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.’

21"And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

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.

22"But the father said to his slaves, '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.

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

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

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

25"Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.

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

26"And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be.

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.’

27"And 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 was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him,

28"But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him.

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.

29"But he answered and said to his father, 'Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends;

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

30but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.'

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

31"And he said to him, 'Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours.

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

32But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.'"

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.

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