16
No one in the country would give him any food, and he was so hungry that he would have eaten what the pigs were eating.
17
"Finally, he came to his senses. He said, 'How many of my father's hired men have more food than they can eat, while I'm starving to death here?
18
I'll go at once to my father, and I'll say to him, "Father, I've sinned against heaven and you.
19
I don't deserve to be called your son anymore. Make me one of your hired men."'
20
"So he went at once to his father. While he was still at a distance, his father saw him and felt sorry for him. He ran to his son, put his arms around him, and kissed him.
21
Then his son said to him, 'Father, I've sinned against heaven and you. I don't deserve to be called your son anymore.'
22
"The father said to his servants, 'Hurry! Bring out the best robe, and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
23
Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let's celebrate with a feast.
24
My son was dead and has come back to life. He was lost but has been found.' Then they began to celebrate.
25
"His older son was in the field. As he was coming back to the house, he heard music and dancing.
26
He called to one of the servants and asked what was happening.