1 ¶ Then all the publicans and sinners drew near unto him to hear him.

2 A nd the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receives sinners and eats with them.

3 A nd he spoke this parable unto them, saying,

4 W hat man of you having a hundred sheep if he lose one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after that which is lost until he finds it?

5 A nd when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6 A nd when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.

7 I say unto you that likewise there shall be more joy in heaven over one sinner that repents than over ninety-nine just persons, who need no repentance.

8 O r what woman having ten drachmas, if she loses one drachma, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?

9 A nd when she has found it, she calls her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma which I had lost.

10 L ikewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents.

11 ¶ And he said, A certain man had two sons;

12 a nd the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of the estate that falls to me. And he divided unto them his living.

13 A nd not many days after, the younger son gathered all together and took his journey into a far country and there wasted his estate with riotous living.

14 A nd when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

15 A nd he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

16 A nd he longed to fill his belly with the husks that the swine ate, but no one gave them unto him.

17 A nd when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have abundance of bread, 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 before thee

19 a nd am no longer worthy to be called thy son; make me as one of thy hired servants.

20 A nd he arose and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.

21 A nd the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight and am no longer worthy to be called thy son.

22 B ut the father said to his slaves, Bring forth the best robe and put it on him and put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet

23 a nd bring here the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and be merry;

24 f or this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. And they began to be merry.

25 N ow his elder son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.

26 A nd he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.

27 A nd he said unto him, Thy brother is come, and thy father has killed the fatted calf because he has received him safe and sound.

28 A nd he was angry and would not go in, therefore his father came out and intreated him.

29 A nd he, answering, said to his father, Behold, these many years I have served thee, neither at any time have I transgressed thy commandment; and yet thou never gavest me a kid that I might make merry with my friends.

30 B ut as soon as this thy son was come who has devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed the fatted calf for him.

31 A nd he said unto him, Son, thou art always with me, and all that I have is thine.

32 I t was necessary that we should make merry and be glad, for this thy brother was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.