Luke 15

CLV^{(i) 1} Now all the tribute collectors and sinners were coming near Him to be hearing Him. ² And both the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying that "This man sinners is receiving, and is eating with them!" ³ Now He told them this parable, saying, ⁴ What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and losing one of them, is not leaving the ninety-nine in the wilderness and is going after the lost one, till he may be finding it? ⁵ And finding it, he is placing it on his shoulders, rejoicing." ⁶ And, coming into the house, he is calling together the friends and the neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice together with me that I found my sheep that was lost!'" ⁷ I am saying to you that thus there will be joy in heaven over one sinner repenting, more than over the ninety-nine just persons who have no need of repentance." ⁸ Or what woman having ten drachmas, if she should ever be losing one drachma, is not lighting a lamp and sweeping the house and seeking carefully till she may be finding it? ⁹ And, finding it, she is calling together the friends and the neighbors, saying 'Rejoice together with me that I found the drachma which I lose!'" ¹⁰ Thus, I am saying to you, there is coming to be joy in the sight of the messengers of God over one sinner repenting." ¹¹ Now He said, "A certain man had two sons." ¹² And the younger of them said to the father, 'Father, give me the part of the estate accruing to me.' Now he apportioned to them the livelihood." ¹³ And, after not many days, gathering all together, the younger son travels into a far country and there dissipates his estate, living profligately." ¹⁴ Now, he spending all, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he begins to be in want." ¹⁵ And, going, he was joined to one of the citizens of that country, and he sends him into his fields to graze hogs." ¹⁶ And he yearned to be satisfied with the little carob pods which the hogs ate, and no one gave to him." ¹⁷ Now, coming to himself, he averred, 'How many of my father's hired men are being cloyed with bread, yet I am perishing here of famine!" ¹⁸ Rising, I will go to my father and declare to him, "Father, I sinned against heaven and in your sight." ¹⁹ No longer am I worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired men."'" ²⁰ And rising, he came to his father. "Now, at his being still far away, his father perceived him and has compassion, and running, falls on his neck and fondly kisses him." ²¹ Now the son said to him, 'Father, I sinned against heaven and in your sight. No longer am I worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired men.'" ²² Yet the father said to his slaves, 'Quick! Bring forth the first robe, and put it on him, and give him a ring for his hand and sandals for his feet." ²³ And bring the grain-fed calf, sacrifice it, and, eating, we may make merry, ²⁴ for this my son was dead and revives; he was lost and was found.' And they begin to make merry. ²⁵ Now his elder son was in the field, and, coming, as he nears the house, he hears music and choral dancing." ²⁶ And, calling one of the boys to him, he inquired to ascertain whatever this may be." ²⁷ Now he said to him that 'Your brother is arriving, and your father sacrifices the grain-fed calf, seeing that he got him back sound.'" ²⁸ Now he is indignant and would not enter. Yet his father, coming out, entreated him." ²⁹ Now he, answering, said to his father, 'Lo! so many years am I slaving for you, and I never passed by your precept, and you never give me a kid that I may make merry with my friends." ³⁰ Yet when this son of yours came, who is devouring your livelihood with prostitutes, you sacrifice for him the grain-fed calf!'" ³¹ Now he said to him, 'Child, you are always with me, and all mine is yours." ³² Yet we must be merry and rejoice, seeing that this your brother was dead and revives, and was lost and was found.'"