1
|
Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering round to hear him. |
2
|
But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them." |
3
|
Then Jesus told them this parable: |
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? |
5
|
And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders |
6
|
and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbours together and says,`Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' |
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. |
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? |
9
|
And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbours together and says,`Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' |
10
|
In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." |
11
|
Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. |
12
|
The younger one said to his father,`Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. |
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. |
14
|
After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. |
15
|
So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. |
16
|
He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no-one gave him anything. |
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! |
18
|
I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. |
19
|
I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' |
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. |
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.' |
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. |
23
|
Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. |
24
|
For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate. |
25
|
"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. |
26
|
So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. |
27
|
`Your brother has come,' he replied,`and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' |
28
|
"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. |
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. |
30
|
But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' |
31
|
"`My son,' the father said,`you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. |
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.'" |
Luke 15:1 English Language Bible Words basic statistical display
COMING SOON ...