15Then
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, 4What 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.
16And 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
father'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.
