21
His son said to him, `Father, I have sinned against Heaven and against you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son --'
22
but his father said to his slaves, `Quick, bring out a robe, the best one, and put it on him; and put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet;
23
and bring the calf that has been fattened up, and kill it. Let's eat and have a celebration!
24
For this son of mine was dead, but now he's alive again! He was lost, but now he has been found!' And they began celebrating.
25
"Now his older son was in the field. As he came close to the house, he heard music and dancing.
26
So he called one of the servants and asked, `What's going on?'
27
The servant told him, `Your brother has come back, and your father has slaughtered the calf that was fattened up, because he has gotten him back safe and sound.'
28
But the older son became angry and refused to go inside. "So his father came out and pleaded with him.
29
`Look,' the son answered, `I have worked for you all these years, and I have never disobeyed your orders. But you have never even given me a young goat, so that I could celebrate with my friends.
30
Yet this son of yours comes, who squandered your property with pros titutes, and for him you slaughter the fattened calf!'
31
`Son, you are always with me,' said the father, `and everything I have is yours.