Luke 15:10-32

10In the same way, I tell you, there is joy 1in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

11And He said, “A man had two sons. 12The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me 2the share of the estate that 3is coming to me.’ And so he divided his 45wealth between them. 13And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey to a distant country, and there he squandered his estate in 6wild living. 14Now when he had 7spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began doing without. 15So he went and 8hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16And he longed to have his fill of the carob pods that the pigs were eating, and no one was giving him anything. 17But when he came to 9his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired laborers have more than enough bread, but I am dying here 10from hunger! 18I will set out and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and 11in your sight; 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired laborers.”’ 20So he set out and came to 12his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and 1314embraced him and kissed him. 21And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and 15in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out 16the best robe and put it on him, and 1718put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet; 23and bring the fattened calf, slaughter it, and let’s eat and celebrate; 24for this son of mine was 19dead 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 he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. 27And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28But he became angry and was not willing 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 I have never 20neglected a command of yours; and yet you never gave me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; 30but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your 2122wealth with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’ 31And he said to him, ‘Son, you 23have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was 24dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’”