15:4 “Suppose someone among you had one hundred sheep and lost one of them. Wouldn’t he leave the other ninety-nine in the pasture and search for the lost one until he finds it?
15:5 And when he finds it, he is thrilled and places it on his shoulders.
15:6 When he arrives home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Celebrate with me because I’ve found my lost sheep.’
15:7 In the same way, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who changes both heart and life than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to change their hearts and lives.
15:8 “Or what woman, if she owns ten silver coins and loses one of them, won’t light a lamp and sweep the house, searching her home carefully until she finds it?
15:9 When she finds it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me because I’ve found my lost coin.’
15:10 In the same way, I tell you, joy breaks out in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who changes both heart and life.”
15:12 The younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the inheritance.’ Then the father divided his estate between them.
15:13 Soon afterward, the younger son gathered everything together and took a trip to a land far away. There, he wasted his wealth through extravagant living.
15:14 “When he had used up his resources, a severe food shortage arose in that country and he began to be in need.
15:15 He hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.
15:16 He longed to eat his fill from what the pigs ate, but no one gave him anything.
15:17 When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have more than enough food, but I’m starving to death!
15:18 I will get up and go to my father, and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
15:19 I no longer deserve to be called your son. Take me on as one of your hired hands.” ’
15:20 So he got up and went to his father. “While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion. His father ran to him, hugged him, and kissed him.
15:21 Then his son said, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
15:22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly, bring out the best robe and put it on him! Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet!
15:23 Fetch the fattened calf and slaughter it. We must celebrate with feasting
15:24 because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life! He was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.
15:25 “Now his older son was in the field. Coming in from the field, he approached the house and heard music and dancing.
15:26 He called one of the servants and asked what was going on.
15:27 The servant replied, ‘Your brother has arrived, and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he received his son back safe and sound.’
15:28 Then the older son was furious and didn’t want to enter in, but his father came out and begged him.
15:29 He answered his father, ‘Look, I’ve served you all these years, and I never disobeyed your instruction. Yet you’ve never given me as much as a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.
15:30 But when this son of yours returned, after gobbling up your estate on prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’
15:31 Then his father said, ‘Son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.
15:32 But we had to celebrate and be glad because this brother of yours was dead and is alive. He was lost and is found.’”
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