1
Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him
2
And the Pharisees and scribes murmured saying This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them
3
And he spake this parable unto them saying
4
What man of you having an hundred sheep if he lose 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 neighbours saying unto them Rejoice with me for I have found my sheep which was lost
7
I say unto you that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth more than over ninety and nine just persons which need no repentance
8
Either what woman having ten pieces of silver if she lose one piece doth not light a candle and sweep the house and seek diligently till she find it
9
And when she hath found it she calleth her friends and her neighbours together saying Rejoice with me for I have found the piece which I had lost
10
Likewise 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 goods 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 wasted his substance with riotous living
14
And when he had spent all there arose a mighty 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 unto him
17
And when he came to himself he said How many hired servants of my ather’s have bread enough and to spare and I perish with hunger
18
I will arise and go to my father and will say unto 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 unto 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 musick and dancing
26
And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant
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
And he was angry and would not go in therefore came his father out and intreated him
29
And he answering said to his father Lo these many years do I serve thee neither transgressed I at any time 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 was come which hath devoured thy living with harlots thou hast killed for him the fatted calf
31
And he said unto 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