Haweis - Luke - 15

15:1  THEN drew nigh unto him all the tax-farmers and the sinners to hear him.

15:2  And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man entertains sinners, and eateth with them.

15:3  Then spake he unto them this parable, saying,

15:4  What man is there of you, possessing an hundred sheep, though he lose but one of them, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

15:5  and when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

15:6  And coming home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Congratulate me; for I have found that sheep of mine which was lost.

15:7  I tell you, that just so will there be joy in heaven over one repentant sinner, more than over ninety-nine righteous persons, who hold not their need of repentance.

15:8  Or what woman having ten pieces of silver coin, if she lose one of them, doth she not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and make diligent search until she find it?

15:9  And having found it, she calleth her female friends and neighbours together, saying, Congratulate me; for I have found the silver piece I had lost.

15:10  Even so, I tell you, there is joy among the angels of God, over one repentant sinner.

15:11  Then he said, A certain man had two sons:

15:12  and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of substance which falls to my share. And he divided with them his fortune.

15:13  And not many days after, the younger son, collecting his all, travelled into a far distant country, and there dissipated his substance in a life of debauchery.

15:14  But when he had spent all, there came a terrible famine in that region; and he began to know want.

15:15  And he went and connected himself with one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

15:16  And he eagerly longed to fill his belly with the charob berries which the swine did eat: and no person gave him a morsel.

15:17  Then coming to himself, he said, How many hirelings of my father abound with loaves of bread, and I am pining away with famine!

15:18  I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

15:19  and I am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hirelings.

15:20  And he arose and came to his father. But when he was yet at a considerable distance, his father discovered him, and was moved with compassion, and running, fell on his neck, and kissed him again and again.

15:21  Then said the son unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

15:22  But the father said to his servants, Bring out the best robe, and clothe him; and put a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet:

15:23  and bring hither the stall-fed steer, and kill it; and let us eat, and be joyous.

15:24  For this my son was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. And they began to be joyous.

15:25  Now his elder brother had been in the field: and when coming home he drew near the house, he heard a concert of music, and the chorus.

15:26  And calling one of the servants, he inquired what these things meant.

15:27  And he said, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed for him the stall-fed steer, because he hath received him in health.

15:28  Then he was in great wrath, and would not enter the doors: therefore his father came out, and entreated him.

15:29  But he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years I am serving thee, and never have transgressed thy command: yet to me thou hast never once given a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

15:30  but no sooner is this son of thine come, who hath devoured thy substance with whores, than thou hast killed for him the stall-fed steer.

15:31  And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all my possessions are thine.

15:32  But it was right that we should rejoice, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.