1Now all the tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to him to hear him. 2And both the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, This man receives sinners, and eats with them. 3And he spoke to them this parable, saying, 4What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he finds it? 5And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6And 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. 7I say to you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety and nine righteous persons, who need no repentance. 8Or what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she loses one piece, does not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she finds it? 9And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10Even so, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. 11And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of your substance that falls to me. And he divided to them his living. 13And 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 reckless living. 14And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want. 15And he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16And he would gladly have filled his belly with the husks that the swine ate: and no one gave to him. 17But 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! 18I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight: 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son: make me as one of your hired servants. 20And he arose, and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight: I am no longer worthy to be called your son. 22But the father said to his servants, Bring out quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23and bring the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat, and make merry: 24for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. 25Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26And he called to him one of the servants, and inquired what these things might be. 27And he said to him, Your brother has come; and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound. 28But he was angry, and would not go in: and his father came out, and pleaded with him. 29But he answered and said to his father, Look, these many years I have served you, and I never transgressed a commandment of yours; and yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30but when this your son came, who has devoured your living with prostitutes, you killed for him the fatted calf. 31And he said to him, Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32But it was fitting to make merry and be glad: for this your brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.