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The Lost Sheep

¹ Now all the ^(C1)tax collectors and sinners including non-observant Jews were coming near Jesus to listen to Him.² Both the Pharisees and the scribes began muttering and complaining, saying, "This man accepts and welcomes sinners and ^(C1)eats with them."

³ So He told them this parable:⁴ "^(C1)What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one which is lost, searching until he finds it? ^(VR1)5 "And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.⁶ "And when he gets home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!'⁷ "I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.

The Lost Coin

⁸ "Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins each one equal to a day's wages and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?⁹ "And when she has found it, she calls together her women friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, because I found the lost coin!'¹⁰ "In the same way, I tell you, there is joy ^(C1)in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents that is, changes his inner self—his old way of thinking, regrets past sins, lives his life in a way that proves repentance; and seeks God's purpose for his life."

The Prodigal Son

¹¹ Then He said, "A certain man had two sons.¹² "The younger of them inappropriately said to his father, 'Father, give me ^(C1)the share of the property that falls to me.' So he divided the ^(C2)estate between them. ^(VR1)13 "A few days later, the younger son gathered together everything that he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he wasted his fortune in reckless and immoral living.¹⁴ "Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to do without and be in need.¹⁵ "So he went and forced himself on one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to ^(F1)feed pigs.¹⁶ "He would have gladly eaten the carob pods that the pigs were eating but they could not satisfy his hunger, and no one was giving anything to him. ^(VR1)17 "But when he finally came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have more than enough food, while I am dying here of hunger!¹⁸ 'I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight.¹⁹ "I am no longer worthy to be called your son; just treat me like one of your hired men."'²⁰ "So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion for him, and ran and ^(C1)embraced him and kissed him.²¹ "And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'²² "But the father said to his servants, 'Quickly bring out ^(C1)the best robe for the guest of honor and put it on him; and ^(C2)give him a ^(F1)ring for his hand, and sandals for his feet. ^(VR1)23 'And bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let us invite everyone and feast and celebrate;²⁴ for this son of mine was as good as ^(C1)dead and is alive again; he was lost and has been found.' So they began to celebrate.

²⁵ "Now his older son was in the field; and when he returned and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.²⁶ "So he summoned one of the servants and began asking what this celebration meant.²⁷ "And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.'²⁸ "But the elder brother became angry and deeply resentful and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him.²⁹ "But he said to his father, 'Look! These many years I have served you, and I have never neglected or disobeyed your command. Yet you have never given me so much as a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends;³⁰ but when this other son of yours arrived, who has devoured your ^(C1)estate with immoral women, you slaughtered that fattened calf for him!'³¹ "The father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.³² 'But it was fitting to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was as good as ^(C1)dead and has begun to live. He was lost and has been found.'"