| 15:1 |
Now tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to him, so that they might listen to him. |
| 15:2 |
And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This one accepts sinners and eats with them.” |
| 15:3 |
And he told this parable to them, saying: |
| 15:11 |
And he said: “A certain man had two sons. |
| 15:12 |
And the younger of them said to the father, ‘Father, give me the portion of your estate which would go to me.’ And he divided the estate between them. |
| 15:13 |
And after not many days, the younger son, gathering it all together, set out on a long journey to a distant region. And there, he dissipated his substance, living in luxury. |
| 15:14 |
And after he had consumed it all, a great famine occurred in that region, and he began to be in need. |
| 15:15 |
And he went and attached himself to one of the citizens of that region. And he sent him to his farm, in order to feed the swine. |
| 15:16 |
And he wanted to fill his belly with the scraps that the swine ate. But no one would give it to him. |
| 15:17 |
And returning to his senses, he said: ‘How many hired hands in my father’s house have abundant bread, while I perish here in famine! |
| 15:18 |
I shall rise up and go to my father, and I will say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. |
| 15:19 |
I am not worthy to be called your son. Make me one of your hired hands.’ |
| 15:20 |
And rising up, he went to his father. But while he was still at a distance, his father saw him, and he was moved with compassion, and running to him, he fell upon his neck and kissed him. |
| 15:21 |
And the son said to him: ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. Now I am not worthy to be called your son.’ |
| 15:22 |
But the father said to his servants: ‘Quickly! Bring out the best robe, and clothe him with it. And put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet. |
| 15:23 |
And bring the fatted calf here, and kill it. And let us eat and hold a feast. |
| 15:24 |
For this son of mine was dead, and has revived; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to feast. |
| 15:25 |
But his elder son was in the field. And when he returned and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. |
| 15:26 |
And he called one of the servants, and he questioned him as to what these things meant. |
| 15:27 |
And he said to him: ‘Your brother has returned, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safely.’ |
| 15:28 |
Then he became indignant, and he was unwilling to enter. Therefore, his father, going out, began to plead with him. |
| 15:29 |
And in response, he said to his father: ‘Behold, I have been serving you for so many years. And I have never transgressed your commandment. And yet, you have never given me even a young goat, so that I might feast with my friends. |
| 15:30 |
Yet after this son of yours returned, who has devoured his substance with loose women, you have killed the fatted calf for him.’ |
| 15:31 |
But he said to him: ‘Son, you are with me always, and all that I have is yours. |
| 15:32 |
But it was necessary to feast and to rejoice. For this brother of yours was dead, and has revived; he was lost, and is found.’ |
