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15:1  Now all the tax collectors and sinners [including non-observant Jews] were coming near Jesus to listen to Him.
15:2  Both the Pharisees and the scribes began muttering and complaining, saying, “This man accepts and welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
15:3  So He told them this parable:
15:4  “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one which is lost, [searching] until he finds it?
15:5  And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
15:6  And when he gets home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!’
15:7  I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.
15:8  “Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins [each one equal to a day’s wages] and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?
15:9  And when she has found it, she calls together her [women] friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, because I found the lost coin!’
15:10  In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents [that is, changes his inner self—his old way of thinking, regrets past sins, lives his life in a way that proves repentance; and seeks God’s purpose for his life].”
15:11  Then He said, “A certain man had two sons.
15:12  The younger of them [inappropriately] said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.’ So he divided the estate between them.
15:13  A few days later, the younger son gathered together everything [that he had] and traveled to a distant country, and there he wasted his fortune in reckless and immoral living.
15:14  Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to do without and be in need.
15:15  So he went and forced himself on one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.
15:16  He would have gladly eaten the [carob] pods that the pigs were eating [but they could not satisfy his hunger], and no one was giving anything to him.
15:17  But when he [finally] came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough food, while I am dying here of hunger!
15:18  I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight.
15:19  I am no longer worthy to be called your son; [just] treat me like one of your hired men.”’
15:20  So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
15:21  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.’
15:22  But the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe [for the guest of honor] and put it on him; and give him a ring for his hand, and sandals for his feet.
15:23  And bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let us [invite everyone and] feast and celebrate;
15:24  for this son of mine was [as good as] dead and is alive again; he was lost and has been found.’ So they began to celebrate.
15:25  “Now his older son was in the field; and when he returned and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.
15:26  So he summoned one of the servants and began asking what this [celebration] meant.
15:27  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.’
15:28  But the elder brother became angry and deeply resentful and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him.
15:29  But he said to his father, ‘Look! These many years I have served you, and I have never neglected or disobeyed your command. Yet you have never given me [so much as] a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends;
15:30  but when this [other] son of yours arrived, who has devoured your estate with immoral women, you slaughtered that fattened calf for him!’
15:31  The father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.
15:32  But it was fitting to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was [as good as] dead and has begun to live. He was lost and has been found.’”