4
"3Whatmanamong you, if he has a hundredsheep and has lostone of them, does not leave the ninety-nine* in the openpasture and goafter the one which is lostuntil he finds it?
5
"When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6
"And when he comeshome, he callstogether his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'
7
"I tell you that in the sameway, there will be more joy in heavenoveronesinner who repentsthanoverninety-nine*righteouspersonswhoneednorepentance.
The Lost Coin
8"Orwhatwoman, if she hastensilvercoins and losesonecoin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and searchcarefullyuntil she finds it?
9
"When she has found it, she callstogether her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coinwhich I had lost!'
10
"In the sameway, I tell you, there is joy4in the presence of the angels of Godoveronesinner who repents."
12
"The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me 5the share of the estate that falls to me.' So he divided his 6wealthbetween them.
13
"And not manydayslater, the youngersongatheredeverythingtogether and went on a journey into a distantcountry, and there he squandered his estate with looseliving.
14
"Now when he had spenteverything, a severefamineoccurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished.
15
"So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feedswine.
16
"And he would have gladlyfilled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and noone was giving anything to him.
17
"But when he came to his senses, he said, 'Howmany of my father'shiredmenhavemorethanenoughbread, but I am dyinghere with hunger!
18
'I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinnedagainstheaven, and in your sight;
19
I amnolongerworthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hiredmen."'
20
"So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a longwayoff, his fathersaw him and feltcompassion for him, and ran and 7embraced** him and kissed him.
21
"And the sonsaid to him, 'Father, I have sinnedagainstheaven and in your sight; I amnolongerworthy to be called your son.'
22
"But the fathersaid to his slaves, 'Quicklybring out 8the bestrobe and put it on him, and 9put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet;
23
and bring the fattenedcalf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate;
24
for thisson of mine was 10dead and has come to lifeagain; he was lost and has been found.' And they began to celebrate.
25
"Now his olderson was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heardmusic and dancing.
26
"And he summonedone of the servants and began inquiringwhat*thesethings could be.
27
"And he said to him, 'Your brotherhascome, and your father has killed the fattenedcalfbecause he has received him backsafe and sound.'
28
"But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his fathercame out and began pleading with him.
29
"But he answered and said to his father, 'Look! For somanyyears I have been serving you and I have neverneglected a command of yours; and yet you have nevergiven me a younggoat, so that I might celebrate with my friends;
30
but whenthisson of yourscame, who has devoured your 11wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattenedcalf for him.'
31
"And he said to him, 'Son, you have alwaysbeen with me, and all that is mine is yours.
32
'But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for thisbrother of yours was 12dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.' "