15:4 “What man among you, if he has one 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?
15:5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
15:6 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!’
15:7 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.
15:8 “Or what woman, if she has ten drachmas and loses one drachma, 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 friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma which I had lost!’
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.”
15:12 And 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.
15:13 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 living recklessly.
15:14 Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished.
15:15 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.
15:16 And he was desiring to be fed with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him.
15:17 But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger!
15:18 I will rise up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before you.
15:19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”’
15:20 So he rose up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
15:21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
15:22 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,
15:23 and bring the fattened calf, slaughter it, and let us eat and celebrate,
15:24 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.
15:25 “Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.
15:26 And summoning one of the servants, he began inquiring what these things could be.
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 he became angry and was not wanting to go in, and his father came out and began pleading with him.
15:29 But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and never have I neglected a command of yours. And yet never have you given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends.
15:30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’
15:31 And he said to him, ‘Child, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.
15:32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and is alive, and was lost and has been found.’”
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