Chapter 15

1All the tax collectors and people regarded as sinners were coming near Jesus to listen to him.

2But the Pharisees, members of a strict religious movement, and the experts in Jewish law kept complaining: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

3So Jesus told them this illustrative story:

4“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost one until you find it?

5Jesus continued, “When you find it, you joyfully lift it onto your shoulders.

6Then you go home and call your friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Celebrate with me! I have found my lost sheep.’

7I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who changes heart and direction than over ninety-nine people who do what is right and need no such change.

8Or suppose a woman has ten drachmas—silver coins—and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?

9When she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Celebrate with me! I have found the coin I lost.’

10In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who changes heart and direction.”

11Then Jesus said, “A man had two sons.

12The younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that is coming to me.’ So the father divided his property between his sons.

13A few days later, the younger son gathered everything he owned and traveled to a distant country. There he wasted his property by living recklessly.

14After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he began to go hungry.

15So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.

16He longed to fill his stomach with the carob pods the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

17When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more bread than they need, while I am dying of hunger here!

18I will get up, go to my father, and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against God in heaven and against you.

19I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me like one of your hired workers.”’

20So he got up and went to his father. While he was still far away, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him again and again.

21The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against God in heaven and against 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. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

23Bring the fattened calf and slaughter it. Let us eat and celebrate,

24because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life. He was lost and has been found.’ So they began to celebrate.

25Meanwhile, the older son was out in the field. As he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.

26He called one of the servants over and asked what was happening.

27The servant told him, ‘Your brother has returned, and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he got him back safe and well.’

28The older son became angry and refused to go inside. So his father came out and pleaded with him.

29But he answered his father, ‘Look! I have worked like a slave for you all these years and have never disobeyed one of your commands. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.

30But when this son of yours came back after using up your property with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him!’

31His father replied, ‘My child, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.

32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life. He was lost and has been found.’”