The Parable of the Lost Sheep

1Now all the tax collectors and the [†]sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. 2And both the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

3So He told them this parable, saying, 4“What man among you, if he has one hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the [†]open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ 7I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

The Parable of the Lost Drachma

8“Or what woman, if she has ten [†]drachmas and loses one [†]drachma, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the [†]drachma which I had lost!’ 10In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

The Parable of the Prodigal Son

11And He said, “A man had two sons. 12And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his [†]wealth between them. 13And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate living recklessly. 14Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. 15So he went and [†]hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16And he was desiring to be fed with the [†]pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. 17But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! 18I will rise up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”’ 20So he rose up and came to [†]his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and [†]embraced him and kissed him. 21And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet, 23and bring the fattened calf, slaughter it, and let us eat and celebrate, 24for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.

25“Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26And summoning one of the servants, he began inquiring what these things could be. 27And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28But he became angry and was not wanting to go in, and his father came out and began pleading with him. 29But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and never have I [†]neglected a command of yours. And yet never have you given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your [†]wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’ 31And he said to him, ‘Child, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and is alive, and was lost and has been found.’”