Luke 15:11-24

11Jesus then told another story: ‘There was a man that had two sons.

12The younger son went to his father and said to him, “Father, please give me now my part of your things.” So the father gave both sons the part of his things that each of them should have.

13After a few days, the younger son sold what his father had given to him. Then he took all the money and left home. He went on a long journey to a country far away. There, he did whatever he wanted to do and wasted all his money.

14After he had spent everything, there was no rain in that country. There was almost no food anywhere. So the young man had nothing to eat.

15He went to a man who lived in that country. He asked to work for him. So the man sent him into his fields to give food to his pigs.

16Nobody gave him anything to eat. He even wanted to eat the food that the pigs were eating. But he had nothing.

17Then the son began to think about what he had done. He said to himself, “My father has many servants, and they have plenty of food to eat. They even have more food than they need. But I will die here because I do not have any food.

18So I will go to my father and tell him, ‘I have done bad things against God, and I have done bad things against you.

19So I am not good enough for you to call me your son any longer. Instead, please accept me as one of your servants.’ ”

20So he went off to return to his father. But he was still a long way from the house when his father saw him. He felt very sorry for his son and he ran towards him. Then he put his arms round his son and he kissed him.

21“Father,” the son said, “I have done bad things against God and against you. So I am not good enough for you to call me your son.”

22But the father shouted to his servants. “Hurry!” he said. “Fetch the most beautiful coat that we have. Put it on him and also put a ring on his finger. Put shoes on his feet.

23Fetch the young cow that we keep ready to eat on a special day. It is already fat. Kill it and prepare it. We will eat a big meal and we will be happy together.

24I thought that my son here was dead. But now he has returned to me and he is alive! I thought that he had left me for all time. But now he has come home.” Then they all began to be happy together.