| 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." |
| 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.' " |
