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.
27
"The servant told him, 'Your brother has come home. So your father has killed the fattened calf to celebrate your brother's safe return.'
28
"Then the older son became angry and wouldn't go into the house. His father came out and begged him to come in.
29
But he answered his father, 'All these years I've worked like a slave for you. I've never disobeyed one of your commands. Yet, you've never given me so much as a little goat for a celebration with my friends.
30
But this son of yours spent your money on prostitutes, and when he came home, you killed the fattened calf for him.'
31
"His father said to him, 'My child, you're always with me. Everything I have is yours.
32
But we have something to celebrate, something to be happy about. This brother of yours was dead but has come back to life. He was lost but has been found.'"