The parables of the lost sheep and of the prodigal son.

¹ Now tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to him, so that they might listen to him.

² And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This one accepts sinners and eats with them.”

³ And he told this parable to them, saying:

⁴ “What man among you, who has one hundred sheep, and if he will have lost one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the one whom he had lost, until he finds it?

⁵ And when he has found it, he places it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

⁶ And returning home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them: ‘Congratulate me! For I have found my sheep, which had been lost.’

⁷ I say to you, that there will be so much more joy in heaven over one sinner repenting, than over the ninety-nine just, who do not need to repent.

⁸ Or what woman, having ten drachmas, if she will have lost one drachma, would not light a candle, and sweep the house, and diligently search until she finds it?

⁹ And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying: ‘Rejoice with me! For I have found the drachma, which I had lost.’

¹⁰ So I say to you, there will be joy before the Angels of God over even one sinner who is repentant.”¹

1. 15:10Before the angels: By this it is plain that the spirits in heaven have a concern for us below, and a joy at our repentance and consequently a knowledge of it.(Challoner)

¹¹ And he said: “A certain man had two sons.

¹² And the younger of them said to the father, ‘Father, give me the portion of your estate which would go to me.’ And he divided the estate between them.

¹³ And after not many days, the younger son, gathering it all together, set out on a long journey to a distant region. And there, he dissipated his substance, living in luxury.

¹⁴ And after he had consumed it all, a great famine occurred in that region, and he began to be in need.

¹⁵ And he went and attached himself to one of the citizens of that region. And he sent him to his farm, in order to feed the swine.

¹⁶ And he wanted to fill his belly with the scraps that the swine ate. But no one would give it to him.

¹⁷ And returning to his senses, he said: ‘How many hired hands in my father’s house have abundant bread, while I perish here in famine!

¹⁸ I shall rise up and go to my father, and I will say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.

¹⁹ I am not worthy to be called your son. Make me one of your hired hands.’

²⁰ And rising up, he went to his father. But while he was still at a distance, his father saw him, and he was moved with compassion, and running to him, he fell upon his neck and kissed him.

²¹ And the son said to him: ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. Now I am not worthy to be called your son.’

²² But the father said to his servants: ‘Quickly! Bring out the best robe, and clothe him with it. And put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet.

²³ And bring the fatted calf here, and kill it. And let us eat and hold a feast.

²⁴ For this son of mine was dead, and has revived; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to feast.

²⁵ But his elder son was in the field. And when he returned and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.

²⁶ And he called one of the servants, and he questioned him as to what these things meant.

²⁷ And he said to him: ‘Your brother has returned, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safely.’

²⁸ Then he became indignant, and he was unwilling to enter. Therefore, his father, going out, began to plead with him.

²⁹ And in response, he said to his father: ‘Behold, I have been serving you for so many years. And I have never transgressed your commandment. And yet, you have never given me even a young goat, so that I might feast with my friends.

³⁰ Yet after this son of yours returned, who has devoured his substance with loose women, you have killed the fatted calf for him.’

³¹ But he said to him: ‘Son, you are with me always, and all that I have is yours.

³² But it was necessary to feast and to rejoice. For this brother of yours was dead, and has revived; he was lost, and is found.’ ”