26
So he called one of the servants and asked, `What's going on?'
27
The servant told him, `Your brother has come back, and your father has slaughtered the calf that was fattened up, because he has gotten him back safe and sound.'
28
But the older son became angry and refused to go inside. "So his father came out and pleaded with him.
29
`Look,' the son answered, `I have worked for you all these years, and I have never disobeyed your orders. But you have never even given me a young goat, so that I could celebrate with my friends.
30
Yet this son of yours comes, who squandered your property with pros titutes, and for him you slaughter the fattened calf!'
31
`Son, you are always with me,' said the father, `and everything I have is yours.
32
We had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead but has come back to life -- he was lost but has been found.'"