JMNT(i)
11 Now He said, "There was a certain man having two sons.
12 "And the younger of them said to [his] father, 'Father, give to me the part of the estate (the existing substance; the property; the essence) normally falling upon [me].' So he apportioned (divided in two parts and distributed) to (or: for; between) them the livelihood (or: [the means of] living). [note: Jewish law allotted one-half as much to the younger as to the older]
13 "Later, after not many days, upon gathering everything together the younger son traveled from his homeland into a far country – and there he squandered (thoroughly scattered; dissipated) his substance for existing (or: essence; or: property; [portion of] the estate), constantly living as one having no chance of safety or preservation (one not being in a condition of health, wholeness or salvation; the disposition and life of one who is abandoned and reckless).
14 "Now after his expending everything (= using up all his money and possessions), a severe famine was birthed down on that country (or: occurred that extended throughout that region), and he himself began to be caused to progressively fall behind so as to be in want and need (= he became nearly destitute, facing starvation).
15 "And so, after making his way [from place to place around the area], he was joined (glued together) to one (= put in the service of a person) of the citizens of that country, and [that person] sent him into his fields to continue tending and grazing young pigs (hogs; swine).
16 "As time went on, he kept on having a strong desire to be fed, until satisfied, from out of the little horn-shaped pods of the carob trees which the young pigs were habitually eating – and still, no one was giving [anything] to him.
17 "Now at some point, coming into (or: to) himself, he affirmed, 'How many of my father's hired workers are surrounded by an abundance of bread – yet I, myself, am progressively perishing (loosing myself away) in a famine (or: by deprivation of food)!
18 "'Upon rising, I will continue traveling (journeying on) to my father, and then I will proceed saying to him, "O father, I failed to hit the target [leading] into the heaven (or: I missed my aim into the sky; or: I sinned in regard to heaven), as well as in your sight and before you.
19 "'"I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired workers."'
20 "And so, upon rising, he went toward his father. Now while he continued being still a long way off (or: But during his progressive holding off yet far away), his father saw him and was moved with compassion. Then, after running, [his father] fell upon his neck and tenderly kissed him (or: expressed affection down on him).
21 "So the son said to him, 'O father, I failed to hit the target [leading] into the heaven (or: I missed my aim into the sky; or: I sinned in regard to heaven; or: I [sowed] failure into the atmosphere), as well as in your sight and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired workers.'
22 "But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly! Bring out the first robe – the one that signifies the first arrangement with the first equipment and which places him in first place – and clothe him! Then give a ring into his hand, and sandals unto (= for) [his] feet.
23 "'Next, you folks proceed in bringing the grain-fed young animal (e.g.: fat and choice calf): at once slaughter (or: sacrifice) [it], and, after eating, we can be put in a good and easy frame of mind (or: we should be given thoughts of well-being, cheer and celebration),
24 "'because this one, my son, was existing being dead – and now he becomes back alive again (or: lives up, again); he was existing being one having been destroyed and lost – and now he is found!' And so they began to be progressively put in a good and easy frame of mind and were continually given thoughts of well-being and cheer.
25 "Now his older son was continuing being in the midst of a field. Later, while progressively coming – as he drew near to the house – he heard [the sound] of a symphony (a concert of musical instruments) and choruses (or: = music and choral dancing).
26 "And so, calling one of the servants to him, he began inquiring so as to ascertain what these things might be (or: mean).
27 "So the man told him, 'Your brother is now arriving, and your father slaughtered the grain-fed young animal (= the fat and choice calf), seeing that he got him back being still sound and healthy.'
28 "But now the [older brother] swelled with internal teeming, expressing his natural disposition with agitation and irritation (or: grew angry or enraged), and then was not willing (or: wanting; intending) to enter. So his father, upon coming out, began calling him to his side and continued entreating him.
29 "Yet the [older brother], making a judging reply, said to his father, 'Look, and think about it! For so many years I constantly slaved for (or: worked as a slave to) you, and not even once did I transgress (go to the side of) your implanted goal (impartation of the finished product within; inward directive) – and yet not even once did you give to (or: for) me a kid (a young goat), so that I could be put in a good and easy frame of mind (or: should be given thoughts of well-being, cheer and celebration) with my friends.
30 "'But when this son of yours came – the one eating down (or: devouring) your livelihood with prostitutes – you slaughtered (sacrificed) the grain-fed young animal (e.g.: fat and choice calf)!'
31 "So now the [father] said to him, 'Child, you yourself continue being with me always – and all my things continue being yours (or: everything [that is] mine is yours).
32 "'But it continued being binding and necessary to at once be in a good and easy frame of mind (or: be given thoughts of well-being, cheer and celebration) and to rejoice, because this one – your brother – was existing being dead, and now he comes to life; and was one having been lost and destroyed – and now he is found!'"