Luke 15:11-24

The Parable of the Lost Son

11 He also said: "A man had two sons.

12 The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the estate I have coming to me.' So he distributed the assets ^[a] to them.

13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squandered his estate in foolish living.

14 After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing. ^[b]

15 Then he went to work for ^[c] one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.

16 He longed to eat his fill from ^[d] the carob pods ^[e] the pigs were eating, but no one would give him any.

17 When he came to his senses, ^[f] he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have more than enough food, and here I am dying ^[g] of hunger! ^[h]

18 I'll get up, go to my father, and say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight.

19 I'm no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired hands.'

20 So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, ^[i] and kissed him.

21 The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I'm no longer worthy to be called your son.'

22 "But the father told his slaves, 'Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger ^[j] and sandals on his feet.

23 Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let's celebrate with a feast,

24 because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' So they began to celebrate.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit livelihood, or living
• [b]. Lit and he began to be in need
• [c]. Lit went and joined with
• [d]. Other mss read to fill his stomach with
• [e]. Seed casings of a tree used as food for cattle, pigs, and sometimes the poor
• [f]. Lit to himself
• [g]. The word dying is translated lost in vv. 4-9 and vv. 24,32.
• [h]. Or dying in the famine; v. 14
• [i]. Lit He ran, fell on his neck
• [j]. Lit hand