11 And I will say, My father, I am come again; I am a profligate, and I have lost my wealth in ways of sin; I am not worthy to be called your son.
12 I do not ask to be received again as son, but let me have a place among your servants, where I may have a shelter from the storms and have enough to eat.
13 And he arose and sought his father’s house, and as he came his mother saw him while yet a great way off.
14 (A mother’s heart can feel the first faint yearning of a wandering child.)
15 The father came, and hand in hand they walked a-down the way to meet the boy, and there was joy, great joy.
16 The boy tried hard to plead for mercy and a servant’s place; but love was all too great to listen to the plea.
17 The door was opened wide; he found a welcome in the mother’s heart, and in the father’s heart.
18 The father called the servants in, and bade them bring the finest robe for him; the choicest sandals for his feet; a ring of purest gold for him to wear.
19 And then the father said, My servants, go and kill the fatted calf; prepare a feast, for we are glad;
20 Our son we thought was dead is here alive; a treasure that we thought was lost is found.