Luke 15
New International Version - Luke 15 << | >> 123456789101112131415161718192021222324 15:1 Now the tax collectors and 'sinners' were all gathering around to hear him. 15:2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, 'This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.' 15:3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 15:4 'Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 15:5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 15:6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, `Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' 15:7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. 15:8 'Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 15:9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, `Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' 15:10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.' 15:11 Jesus continued: 'There was a man who had two sons. 15:12 The younger one said to his father, `Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. 15:13 'Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 15:14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15:15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 15:16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 15:17 'When he came to his senses, he said, `How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 15:18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 15:19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 15:20 So he got up and went to his father. 'But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 15:21 'The son said to him, `Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. ' 15:22 'But the father said to his servants, `Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 15:23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 15:24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate. 15:25 'Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 15:26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 15:27 `Your brother has come,' he replied, `and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' 15:28 'The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 15:29 But he answered his father, `Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 15:30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' 15:31 '`My son,' the father said, `you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 15:32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.''