Chapter 15

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

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  And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.  

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  And he spoke this parable to them, saying,  

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  What man of you having a hundred sheep, if he loseth one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he findeth it?  

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  And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.  

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  And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.  

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  I say to you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, who need no repentance.  

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  Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she loseth one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she findeth it?  

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  And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.  

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  Likewise, I say to you, There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.  

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  And he said, A certain man had two sons:  

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  And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided to them his living.  

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

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  And when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land; and he began to be in want.  

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

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  And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat; and no man gave to him.  

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  And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father have bread enough and to spare, and I am perishing with hunger!  

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  I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,  

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  And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.  

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  And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.  

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  And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.  

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  But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:  

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  And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:  

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

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  Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing.  

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  And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.  

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  And he said to him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him in health.  

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  And he was angry, and would not go in; therefore his father came out, and entreated him.  

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  And he answering, said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither have I at any time transgressed thy commandment; and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:  

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  But as soon as this thy son had come, who hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.  

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  And he said to him, Son, thou art ever with me: and all that I have is thine.  

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  It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.  

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