1 Then many of the Publicans, and people of a bad reputation gather'd about Jesus to hear him;
2 at which the Pharisees and Scribes murmured, saying, this man gives access to men of bad character, and eats with them.
3 but he propos'd to them this parable.
4 who of you that has an hundred sheep, will not, upon losing one, leave the ninety nine in the desart, to go after that which is lost, till he finds it?
5 and when he hath found it, joyfully lay it upon his shoulders?
6 and when he comes home, call his friends and neighbours together, and say to them, rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep, that was lost?
7 I tell you, that there shall likewise be greater joy in heaven for one sinner that repents, than for ninety nine just persons, that need no repentance.
8 or if a woman, that has ten pieces of money, should lose one of them, will she not light a lamp, sweep the house, and carefully search, till she find it?
9 and when 'tis found, will she not call her friends aud neighbours together, and say, rejoice with me, for I have found the piece, I had lost?
10 even so, I assure you, the angels in heaven rejoice, when any one sinner becomes a penitent.
11 Again he said: a certain man had two sons;
12 the younger of which said to his father, father, give me that portion of the estate which falls to my share. accordingly he divided his estate among them.
13 a little while after the younger son turn'd all he had into money, and travell'd into a foreign country, where he squander'd away his fortune in luxurious living.
14 when he had spent all, there happen'd to be a severe famine in that country;
15 and he was reduced to want, which forc'd him to make his application to one of the inhabitants there, who sent him to his farm to look after his swine.
16 for he would have been contented to have liv'd upon the carruways, with which they usually fed the swine: but nobody would supply him.
17 at length coming to himself, how many, said he, does my father keep in pay, who have bread in abundance, whilst I am dying here with hunger?
18 I will depart, and go to my father, and say to him, father, I have sinned against heaven, and against thee;
19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son: treat me as one of your hir'd servants.
20 so he departed and went to his father. but while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him, and mov'd with compassion, ran and threw himself upon his neck, and kissed him.
21 then 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, bring hither the finest robe, and put it on him: put a ring on his finger, and shoes on his feet.
23 take the fatted calf, and kill it: let us eat and be merry:
24 for this son of mine was dead, and is come to life: he was lost, and is found again. and then they began their feast.
25 In the mean time his elder son was in the country. at his return, when he came near home, he heard the musick and dancing:
26 and calling one of the servants, he ask'd what was the occasion of it,
27 who reply'd, your brother is return'd, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him in good health.
28 upon this he was full of resentment, and refused to go in: and when his father came out to persuade him, he replied to his father,
29 how many years have I serv'd you, without having ever disobey'd your orders? and yet you never bestow'd a kid upon me, to make merry with my friends:
30 whereas this son of yours, who has eat up his fortune among a pack of loose creatures, is no sooner come but you must kill the fatted calf for him.