And He said, “A man had two sons.

Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him.

And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him.

I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?

“Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?

And 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.’

I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”’

and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate;

But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him.

But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet;

And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be.

But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends;

And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’

Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

So He told them this parable, saying,

So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours.

But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger!

But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’”

“Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.

I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight;

And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living.

but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’

for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.

And 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!’

The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them.

So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished.

When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!’