1Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming to hear him. | 1Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming to hear him. |
2But the Pharisees and the experts in the law were complaining, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." | 2But the Pharisees and the experts in the law were complaining, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." |
3So Jesus told them this parable: | 3So Jesus told them this parable: |
4"Which one of you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go look for the one that is lost until he finds it? | 4"Which one of you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go look for the one that is lost until he finds it? |
5Then when he has found it, he places it on his shoulders, rejoicing. | 5Then when he has found it, he places it on his shoulders, rejoicing. |
6Returning home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, telling them, 'Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost.' | 6Returning home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, telling them, 'Rejoice with me, because 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 have no need to repent. | 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 have no need to repent. |
8"Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search thoroughly until she finds it? | 8"Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search thoroughly until she finds it? |
9Then 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.' | 9Then 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 God's angels over one sinner who repents." | 10In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God's angels over one sinner who repents." |
11Then Jesus said, "A man had two sons. | 11Then Jesus said, "A man had two sons. |
12The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the estate that will belong to me.' So he divided his assets between them. | 12The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the estate that will belong to me.' So he divided his assets between them. |
13After a few days, the younger son gathered together all he had and left on a journey to a distant country, and there he squandered his wealth with a wild lifestyle. | 13After a few days, the younger son gathered together all he had and left on a journey to a distant country, and there he squandered his wealth with a wild lifestyle. |
14Then after he had spent everything, a severe famine took place in that country, and he began to be in need. | 14Then after he had spent everything, a severe famine took place in that country, and he began to be in need. |
15So he went and worked for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. | 15So he went and worked for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. |
16He was longing to eat the carob pods the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. | 16He was longing to eat the carob pods the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. |
17But when he came to his senses he said, 'How many of my father's hired workers have food enough to spare, but here I am dying from hunger! | 17But when he came to his senses he said, 'How many of my father's hired workers have food enough to spare, but here I am dying from hunger! |
18I will get up and go to my father and say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. | 18I will get up and go to my father and say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. |
19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired workers."' | 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired workers."' |
20So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way from home his father saw him, and his heart went out to him; he ran and hugged his son and kissed him. | 20So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way from home his father saw him, and his heart went out to him; he ran and hugged his son and kissed him. |
21Then his son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' | 21Then his son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' |
22But the father said to his slaves, 'Hurry! Bring 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 slaves, 'Hurry! Bring the best robe, and put it on him! Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet! |
23Bring the fattened calf and kill it! Let us eat and celebrate, | 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it! 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. | 24because this son of mine was dead, and is alive again--he was lost and is found!' So they began to celebrate. |
25"Now his older son was in the field. As he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. | 25"Now his older son was in the field. As he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. |
26So he called one of the slaves and asked what was happening. | 26So he called one of the slaves and asked what was happening. |
27The slave replied, 'Your brother has returned, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he got his son back safe and sound.' | 27The slave replied, 'Your brother has returned, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he got his son back safe and sound.' |
28But the older son became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and appealed to him, | 28But the older son became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and appealed to him, |
29but he answered his father, 'Look! These many years I have worked like a slave for you, and I never disobeyed your commands. Yet you never gave me even a goat so that I could celebrate with my friends! | 29but he answered his father, 'Look! These many years I have worked like a slave for you, and I never disobeyed your commands. Yet you never gave me even a goat so that I could celebrate with my friends! |
30But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!' | 30But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!' |
31Then the father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and everything that belongs to me is yours. | 31Then the father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and everything that belongs to me is yours. |
32It was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost and is found.'" | 32It was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost and is found.'" |
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