Common English Bible CEB
New Revised Standard NRS
11 Jesus said, “A certain man had two sons.
11
Then Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons.
12 The younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the inheritance.' Then the father divided his estate between them.
12
The younger of them said to his father, "Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them.
13 Soon afterward, the younger son gathered everything together and took a trip to a land far away. There, he wasted his wealth through extravagant living.
13
A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living.
14 “When he had used up his resources, a severe food shortage arose in that country and he began to be in need.
14
When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need.
15 He hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.
15
So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs.
16 He longed to eat his fill from what the pigs ate, but no one gave him anything.
16
He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything.
17 When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired hands have more than enough food, but I'm starving to death!
17
But when he came to himself he said, "How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger!
18 I will get up and go to my father, and say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
18
I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you;
19 I no longer deserve to be called your son. Take me on as one of your hired hands." '
19
I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands." '
20 So he got up and went to his father. “While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion. His father ran to him, hugged him, and kissed him.
20
So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him.
21 Then his son said, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.'
21
Then the son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly, bring out the best robe and put it on him! Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet!
22
But the father said to his slaves, "Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
23 Fetch the fattened calf and slaughter it. We must celebrate with feasting
23
And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate;
24 because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life! He was lost and is found!' And they began to celebrate.
24
for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' And they began to celebrate.
25 "Now his older son was in the field. Coming in from the field, he approached the house and heard music and dancing.
25
"Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.
26 He called one of the servants and asked what was going on.
26
He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on.
27 The servant replied, ‘Your brother has arrived, and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he received his son back safe and sound.'
27
He replied, "Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.'
28 Then the older son was furious and didn't want to enter in, but his father came out and begged him.
28
Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him.
29 He answered his father, ‘Look, I've served you all these years, and I never disobeyed your instruction. Yet you've never given me as much as a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.
29
But he answered his father, "Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends.
30 But when this son of yours returned, after gobbling up your estate on prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.'
30
But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!'
31 Then his father said, ‘Son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.
31
Then the father said to him, "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.
32 But we had to celebrate and be glad because this brother of yours was dead and is alive. He was lost and is found.'"
32
But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.' "
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.