Luke 15

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

1 All the tax collectors and sinners were approaching to listen to Him.

2 And the Pharisees and scribes were complaining, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them!"
3 So He told them this parable: 4 "What man among you, who has 100 sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the 99 in the open field and go after the lost one until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, 6 and coming home, he calls his friends and neighbors together, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!'

7 I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people who don't need repentance.

The Parable of the Lost Coin

8 "Or what woman who has 10 silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 When she finds it, she calls her women friends and neighbors together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, because I have found the silver coin I lost!'

10 I tell you, in the same way, there is joy in the presence of God's angels over one sinner who repents."

The Parable of the Lost Son

11 He also said: "A man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the estate I have coming to me.' So he distributed the assets to them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squandered his estate in foolish living. 14 After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing. 15 Then he went to work for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to eat his fill from the carob pods the pigs were eating, but no one would give him any. 17 When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I'll get up, go to my father, and say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. 19 I'm no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired hands.' 20 So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him.

21 The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I'm no longer worthy to be called your son.'
22 "But the father told his slaves, 'Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let's celebrate with a feast,

24 because 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 near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he summoned one of the servants and asked what these things meant.

27 'Your brother is here,' he told him, 'and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'
28 "Then he became angry and didn't want to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 But he replied to his father, 'Look, I have been slaving many years for you, and I have never disobeyed your orders, yet you never gave me a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.

30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.'
31 "'Son,' he said to him, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.

32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'"

Luke 15

1 Now all the publicans and sinners were drawing near unto him to hear him.2 And both the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.3 And he spake unto them this parable, saying,4 What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and his neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.7 I say unto you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine righteous persons, who need no repentance.8 Or what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she find it?9 And when she hath found it, she calleth together her friends and neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I had lost.10 Even so, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:12 and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of thy substance that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together and took his journey into a far country; and there he wasted his substance with riotous living.14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want.15 And he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.17 But when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish here with hunger!18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight:19 I am no more worthy to be called your son: make me as one of thy hired servants.20 And he arose, and came to his father. But while he was yet afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: I am no more worthy to be called thy son.22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:23 and bring the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat, and make merry:24 for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing.26 And he called to him one of the servants, and inquired what these things might be.27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.28 But he was angry, and would not go in: and his father came out, and entreated him.29 But he answered and said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, and I never transgressed a commandment of thine; and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:30 but when this thy son came, who hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou killedst for him the fatted calf.31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that is mine is thine.32 But it was meet to make merry and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.