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Luke 15, RSV

15:1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him.

15:2 And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them."

15:3 So he told them this parable:

15:4 "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it?

15:5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

15:6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, `Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.'

15:7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

15:8 "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?

15:9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, `Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.'

15:10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

15:11 And he said, "There was a man who had two sons;

15:12 and the younger of them said to his father, `Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them.

15:13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living.

15:14 And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want.

15:15 So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine.

15:16 And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything.

15:17 But when he came to himself he said, `How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger!

15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you;

15:19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants."'

15:20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

15:21 And the son said to him, `Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

15:22 But the father said to his servants, `Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet;

15:23 and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry;

15:24 for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry.

15:25 "Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.

15:26 And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant.

15:27 And he said to him, `Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.'

15:28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him,

15:29 but he answered his father, `Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends.

15:30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!'

15:31 And he said to him, `Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.

15:32 It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"

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