The Parable of the Lost Sheep

1Alla the tax collectorsb and sinners were approaching to listen to him. 2And the Pharisees and scribes were complaining, “This man welcomes sinnersa and eats with them.”

3So he told them this parable:a 4“What man among you, who has a hundred sheep and loses one of them,a does not leave the ninety-nine in the open fieldA and go after the lost one until he finds it? 5When he has found it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, 6and coming home, he calls his friends and neighbors together, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep! ’ 7I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heavena over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who don’t need repentance.

The Parable of the Lost Coin

8“Or what woman who has ten silver coins,a B if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9When she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found the silver coin I lost! ’ 10I tell you, in the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angelsa over one sinner who repents.”

The Parable of the Lost Son

11He also said, “A man had two sons. 12The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate I have coming to me.’ So he distributed the assetsA to them. 13Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squandereda his estate in foolish living.b 14After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing.A 15Then he went to work for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.a 16He longed to eat his fill fromA the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one would give him anything. 17When he came to his senses,A he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger!B 18I’ll get up, go to my father, and say to him, “Father, I have sinneda against heavenb and in your sight. 19I’m no longer worthya to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired workers.” ’ 20So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion.a He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissedb him. 21The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22“But the father told his servants, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robea and put it on him; put a ringb on his finger and sandalsc on his feet. 23Then bring the fattened calfa and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast, 24because this son of mine was dead and is alive again;a he was lost and is found! ’ So they began to celebrate.

25“Now his older son was in the field; as he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he summoned one of the servants, questioning what these things meant. 27‘Your brother is here,’ he told him, ‘and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’A

28“Then he became angry and didn’t want to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him. 29But he replied to his father, ‘Look, I have been slaving many years for you, and I have never disobeyed your orders, yet you never gave me a goat so that I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your assetsA with prostitutes,a you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’

31“ ‘Son,’A he said to him, ‘you are always with me,a and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ”