| 1 | Then drew near to him all the publicans and sinners to hear him. |
| 2 | And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. |
| 3 | And he spoke this parable to them, saying, |
| 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? |
| 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 neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. |
| 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. |
| 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? |
| 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. |
| 10 | Likewise, I say to 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 goods that falleth to me. And he divided to 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 wasted his substance with riotous living. |
| 14 | And when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land; and he began to be in want. |
| 15 | And he went and joined himself to a citizen 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 to him. |
| 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! |
| 18 | I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, |
| 19 | And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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: |
| 23 | And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be 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 one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. |
| 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. |
| 28 | And he was angry, and would not go in; therefore his father came out, and entreated him. |
| 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: |
| 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. |
| 31 | And he said to him, Son, thou art ever with me: and all that I have is thine. |
| 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. |