Now all the tax collectors and - sinners were gathering around - to listen to (Jesus).
So - the Pharisees and - scribes began to grumble - - : “ This (man) welcomes sinners and eats with them. ”
Then (Jesus) told ... them this - parable - :
“ What man among you , (if) he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them , {does} not leave the ninety-nine ... in the pasture and go after the (one) that is lost , until he finds it ?
And when he finds (it) , he joyfully puts (it) ... on his - shoulders ,
- comes vvv vvv home , (and) calls together (his) friends and - neighbors to tell them , ‘ Rejoice with me , for I have found my - lost - sheep ! ’
In the same way , I tell you that there will be (more) joy in - heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine ... righteous ones who do not need to repent.
Or what woman who has ten silver coins (and) loses one (of them) {does} not light a lamp , - sweep (her) house , and search carefully until she finds it ?
And when she finds (it) , she calls together (her) friends and neighbors to say , ‘ Rejoice with me , for I have found (my) - lost coin. ’
In the same way , I tell you , there is joy in the presence - of God’s - angels over one sinner who repents. ”
Then (Jesus) said , “ (There was) a man who had two sons.
- The younger (son) said to (him) , ‘ Father , give me - my share of the estate. ’ So - he divided (his) property between them.
- After vvv a few days , the younger son got everything together ... (and) journeyed to a distant country , - (where) he squandered his - wealth in wild living.
After he had spent all (he had) , a severe famine swept through that - country , and he began to be in need.
(So) he went (and) hired himself out to a - citizen of that - country , (who) sent him into his - fields to feed (the) pigs.
- He longed to fill his - belly with the pods - the pigs were eating , but no one would give him ( a thing ).
Finally he came to his senses (and) said , ‘ How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food ? But here I {am} , starving to death !
I will get up (and) go back to my - father and say to him , “ Father , I have sinned against - heaven and against you.
I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants. ”’
So he got up (and) went to his - father. But while he {was} still vvv in the distance , his - father saw him and was filled with compassion. - He ran (to his son) , embraced him ... ... ... ... , and kissed him.
- The son declared - , ‘ Father , I have sinned against - heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. ’
But the father said to his - servants , ‘ Quick ! Bring the best robe and put it on him. - Put a ring on his - finger and sandals on his feet.
- Bring the - fattened calf (and) kill (it). - Let us feast (and) celebrate.
For this - son of mine was dead and is alive again ! He was lost and is found ! ’ So they began to celebrate.
Meanwhile - the older - son was in (the) field , and as he approached ... the house , he heard music and dancing.
So he called one of the servants (and) asked what ... was going on ....
‘ Your - brother has returned , ’ - - he said - - , ‘ and your - father has killed the - fattened calf , because he has him back ... safe and sound. ’
- (The older son) became angry and vvv refused to go in. So his - father came out (and) pleaded with him.
But - he answered ... ... his father , ‘ Look , all these years I have served you and never disobeyed a commandment of yours. Yet vvv you never gave me (even) a young goat so I could celebrate with my - friends.
But when this - son of yours returns from - squandering your - wealth with prostitutes , you kill the fattened calf for him ! ’
‘ Son , you are always with me , ’ - - (the father) said - , ‘ and all that (is) mine is yours.
But it was fitting to celebrate and be glad , because this - brother of yours was dead and is alive again ; - he was lost and is found. ’”