21 The feast was soon prepared and all were merry, when the eldest son who had been serving in a distant field and knew not that his brother had returned, came home.
22 And when he learned the cause of all the merriment he was offended, and would not go into the house.
23 His father and his mother both besought him tearfully to disregard the waywardness and folly of their son; but he would not; he said,
24 Lo, all these years I have remained at home, have served you every day, have never yet transgressed your most severe commands;
25 And yet you never killed for me a kid, nor made for me a simple feast that I might make merry with my friends;
26 But when your son, this profligate, who has gone forth and squandered half your wealth in ways of sin, comes home, because he could do nothing else, you kill for him the fatted calf and make a wondrous feast.
27 His father said, My son, all that I have is yours and you are ever with us in our joys;
28 And it is well to show our gladness when your brother, who is near and dear to us, and who we thought was dead, returns to us alive.
29 He may have been a profligate; may have consorted with gay courtesans and thieves, yet he is still your brother and our son.
30 Then Jesus said so all might hear: He who has ears to hear, and hearts to understand will comprehend the meaning of this parable.