MKJV - Luke - 15

15:1  And all the tax-collectors and sinners drew near to Him in order to hear Him.

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

15:3  And He spoke this parable to them, saying,

15:4  What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after that which is lost until he finds it?

15:5  And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

15:6  And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.

15:7  I say to you that likewise joy shall be in Heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

15:8  Or what woman having ten drachmas, if she loses one drachma, does she not light a lamp and sweep the house, and seek carefully until she finds it?

15:9  And when she has found it, she calls her friends and her neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma which I had lost.

15:10  Likewise I say to you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

15:11  And 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 goods that is coming to me. And he divided his living to them.

15:13  And not many days afterward, the younger son gathered all together and went away into a far country. And there he wasted his property, living dissolutely.

15:14  And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land. And he began to be in want.

15:15  And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country. And he sent him into his fields to feed pigs.

15:16  And he was longing to fill his belly with the husks that the pigs ate, and no one gave to him.

15:17  And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father abound in loaves, and I perish with hunger!

15:18  I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before you

15:19  and am no more worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.

15:20  And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.

15:21  And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before you, and am no more worthy to be called your son.

15:22  But the father said to his servants, Bring the best robe and put it on him. And put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet.

15:23  And bring the fattened calf here and kill it. And let us eat and be merry,

15:24  for this my son was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found. And they began to be merry.

15:25  And his elder son was in the field. And as he came and drew near the house, he heard music and dancing.

15:26  And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.

15:27  And he said to him, Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him safe and sound.

15:28  And he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and entreated him.

15:29  And answering he said to his father, Lo, these many years I have served you, neither did I transgress your commandment at any time. And yet you never gave me a kid so that I might make merry with my friends.

15:30  But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you have killed for him the fattened calf.

15:31  And he said to him, Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.

15:32  It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.