CHAPTER XX.
PARABLES OF THE LOST SHEEP, THE LOST MONEY, AND THE PRODIGAL SON.
1 15:1AND all the publicans and sinners came near him to hear him. 15:2And both the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, This man receives sinners and eats with them. 15:3And he spoke to them this parable; saying, 15:4What man of you having a hundred sheep, and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the lost sheep till he finds it. 15:5And finding it, he puts it on his shoulders rejoicing; 15:6and coming to the house, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying, Congratulate me; for I have found my sheep that was lost. 15:7So, I tell you, there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner that changes his mind, more than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need a change of mind.
2 15:8Or what woman having ten drachmas [140 cents], if she loses one drachma [14 cents], does not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek carefully till she finds it? 15:9And when she finds it, she calls her female friends and neighbors together, saying, Congratulate me, for I have found the drachma which I lost. 15:10So, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner that changes his mind.
3 15:11And he said, A certain man had two sons. 15:12And the youngest of them said to the father, Father, give me the portion of the estate that falls to me; and he divided to them his living. 15:13And not many days after, the youngest son, collecting all his property, went abroad to a distant country; and there wasted his property, living intemperately. 15:14And when he had spent all, there was a severe famine in that country; and he began to be in want. 15:15And he went and attached himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his field to feed swine. 15:16And he desired to fill his stomach with the carob pods which the swine eat; and no man gave him.
4 15:17And coming to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father abound in bread, but I perish here with hunger! 15:18I will arise and go to my father, and say to him, Father, I have sinned to Heaven, and before you; 15:19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired servants. 15:20And he arose, and came to his father. But while he was yet far off, his father saw him, and had compassion on him, and ran and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 15:21And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned to Heaven, and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son. 15:22But the father said to his servants, Bring out the best robe and put on him; and put a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet; 15:23and bring the fatted calf and kill it; let us eat, and rejoice; 15:24for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to rejoice.
5 15:25But his older son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house he heard music and the dancers. 15:26And calling one of the servants he inquired what these things meant. 15:27And he said to him, Your brother has come; and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him back in health. 15:28And he was angry, and would not go in; but his father came out and entreated him. 15:29And he answered and said to his father, Behold, I have served you so many years, and have never disobeyed your command; and you have never given me a kid, that I might rejoice with my friends; 15:30but when this your son came who has consumed his living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf. 15:31But he said to him, Son, you are always with me, and all mine is yours. 15:32We ought also to rejoice and be glad; for this your brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.