1 Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were drawing near to Him to hear Him. 2 And both the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” 3 And He spoke to them this parable, saying, 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, does not leave the ninety nine in the open field, and go after the one having been lost, until he finds it? 5 And having found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And having come to the house, he calls together the friends and the neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep, the one having been lost!’ 7 I say to you that in the same way there will be joy in heaven over one sinner repenting, rather than over ninety nine righteous ones who have no need of repentance. 8 Or what woman having ten drachmas, if she should lose one drachma, does not light a lamp and sweep the house, and seek carefully until she finds it? 9 And having found it, she calls together the friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma that I lost.’ 10 Thus I say to you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner repenting.” 11 And He said, “A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to the father, ‘Father, give to me the portion of the property falling to me.’ And he divided the property between them. 13 And not many days later, the younger son having gathered together all, went away into a distant country, and there he wasted his estate, living prodigally. 14 But of him having spent all, there arose a severe famine throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15 And having gone, he joined himself to one of the citizens of that the country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to fill his belly from the pods that the pigs were eating, and no one was giving to him. 17 But having come to himself, he was saying, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have abundance of bread, but here I am perishing with hunger? 18 Having risen up, I will go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 no longer am I worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your servants.”’ 20 And having risen up, he went to his father. And he still being far distant, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and having run, fell upon his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; no longer am I worthy to be called your son.’ 22 And the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and clothe him, and give him a ring for his hand and sandals for his feet; 23 and having brought the fattened calf, kill it, and having eaten, let us be merry. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry. 25 And his elder son was in the field, and while coming up, he drew near to the house; he heard music and dancing. 26 And having called near one of the servants, he began inquiring what these things might be. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother is come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him in good health.’ 28 But he was angry, and was not willing to go in. And his father, having gone, was begging him. 29 And answering, he said to his father, ‘Behold, so many years I serve you, and never did I disobey a commandment of yours; and never did you give to me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, the one having devoured your living with prostitutes, you have killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But it was fitting to make merry and to rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; and he was lost and is found.’”