1Then all the tax collectors and sinners gathered around Him to hear Him. 2And the Pharisees and scribes muttered, “This Man welcomes and eats with sinners.” 3Then Jesus told them this parable: 4“If a man has a hundred sheep, and he loses one of them, does he not leave the ninety-nine, and go looking for that one that is lost, until he finds it? 5And when finds it, he joyfully carries it back on his shoulders. 6And when he gets home, he calls his friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me; for I have found my lost sheep’. 7I tell you, that in the same way, there is joy in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over the ninety-nine righteous persons, which need no repentance.”

8“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins, and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search diligently until she finds it? 9And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me; for I have found the coin that I had lost’. 10In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents.”

11And Jesus continued, “A man had two sons; 12And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate’. And so, he divided his property between his two sons. 13And not long after that, the younger son took his share, and travelled to a distant land, and there he squandered his wealth in riotous living. 14And when it was all spent, there arose a severe famine in that land; and he began to be in need. 15So he went to work for a citizen of that land; who sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16And he wished he could fill his belly with the husks that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. 17And when he came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have food enough and to spare, and here I am, starving to death! 18I will go back home to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me one of your hired servants”’. 20And he got up, and went to his father. But while he was yet a great way off, his father saw him coming, felt compassion, ran, hugged and kissed him. 21And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight, and am no more worthy to be called your son’. 22But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23And slaughter the fattened calf; and let us feast and celebrate; 24For this, my son, was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is now found’. And they began to celebrate. 25Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26And he called one of the servants, and asked what was going on. 27And he told him, ‘Your brother has returned; and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has him back, safe and sound’. 28And the elder son was angry, and refused to go in. So his father came out, and pleaded with him. 29But he said to his father, ‘Look, all these many years I have served you, nor did I ever disobey your orders; and yet you never gave me a young goat, so that I might have made a feast with my friends; 30But as soon as this, your other son comes back, who has wasted your property living with harlots, you have killed the fattened calf for him’. 31And the father said to him, ‘My son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32But it was fitting that we should celebrate, and be glad; for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and now is found.’”