15:1 Then drew near to him all the publicans and sinners to hear
him.
15:2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man
receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
15:3 And he spoke this parable to them, saying,
15:4 What man of you having a hundred sheep, if he loseth one of
them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and
go after that which is lost, until he findeth it?
15:5 And when he hath found [it], he layeth [it] on his
shoulders, rejoicing.
15:6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together [his] friends
and neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me; for I have
found my sheep which was lost.
15:7 I say to you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one
sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just
persons, who need no repentance.
15:8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she
loseth one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house,
and seek diligently till she findeth [it]?
15:9 And when she hath found [it], she calleth [her] friends and
[her] neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have
found the piece which I had lost.
15:10 Likewise, I say to you, There is joy in the presence of
the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
15:11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
15:12 And the younger of them said to [his] father, Father, give
me the portion of goods that falleth [to me]. And he divided to
them [his] living.
15:13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all
together, and took his journey into a far country, and there
wasted his substance with riotous living.
15:14 And when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in
that land; and he began to be in want.
15:15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that
country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
15:16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks
that the swine did eat; and no man gave to him.
15:17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired
servants of my father have bread enough and to spare, and I am
perishing with hunger!
15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him,
Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
15:19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one
of thy hired servants.
15:20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet
a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and
ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
15:21 And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against
heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called
thy son.
15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best
robe, and put [it] on him, and put a ring on his hand, and
shoes on [his] feet:
15:23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill [it]; and let
us eat, and be merry:
15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost,
and is found. And they began to be merry.
15:25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and
drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing.
15:26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these
things meant.
15:27 And he said to him, Thy brother is come; and thy father
hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him in
health.
15:28 And he was angry, and would not go in; therefore his
father came out, and entreated him.
15:29 And he answering, said to [his] father, Lo, these many
years do I serve thee, neither have I at any time transgressed
thy commandment; and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I
might make merry with my friends:
15:30 But as soon as this thy son had come, who hath devoured
thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted
calf.
15:31 And he said to him, Son, thou art ever with me: and all
that I have is thine.
15:32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for
this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost,
and is found.
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