| 1 Now all the publicans and sinners were drawing near unto him to
hear him. 2 And both the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, This
man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. 3 And he spake unto them this
parable, saying, 4 What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having
lost one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and
go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found
it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home,
he calleth together his friends and his neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice
with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that
even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth,
more than over ninety and nine righteous persons, who need no
repentance. 8 Or what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one
piece, doth not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until
she find it? 9 And when she hath found it, she calleth together her
friends and neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece
which I had lost. 10 Even so, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence
of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. 11 And he said, A
certain man had two sons: 12 and the younger of them said to his father,
Father, give me the portion of thy substance that falleth to me. And
he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after, the younger
son gathered all together and took his journey into a far country; and there
he wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all,
there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country;
and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have
filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto
him. 17 But when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my
father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish here with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have
sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: 19 I am no more worthy to be
called your son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose,
and came to his father. But while he was yet afar off, his father saw him,
and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in
thy sight: I am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father
said to his servants, Bring forth quickly the best robe, and put it on him;
and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 and bring the fatted
calf, and kill it, and let us eat, and make merry: 24 for this my
son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began
to be merry. 25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and
drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called to
him one of the servants, and inquired what these things might be. 27 And
he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted
calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 28 But he was angry,
and would not go in: and his father came out, and entreated him. 29 But he
answered and said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, and I
never transgressed a commandment of thine; and yet thou never gavest
me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 but when this thy
son came, who hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou killedst for him
the fatted calf. 31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and
all that is mine is thine. 32 But it was meet to make merry and be glad:
for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was
lost, and is found.
Genesis - Public
Domain
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