1Now all the tax collectorsand sinners were coming close to him to hear him.2The Pharisees and the scribes murmured,saying, “This man welcomes sinners,and eats with them.”
3He told them this parable:
· · · verses 4–10 are not read11He said, “A certain man had two sons.12The younger of them said to his father,‘Father, give me my share of your property.’So he divided his livelihood between them.13Not many days after,the younger son gathered all of this togetherand traveled into a far country.There he wasted his property with riotous living.14When he had spent all of it,there arose a severe famine in that country,and he began to be in need.15He went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country,and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs.16He wanted to fill his belly with the pods that the pigs ate,but no one gave him any.17But when he came to himself,he said, ‘How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough to spare,and I’m dying with hunger!18I will get up and go to my father,and will tell him,“Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight.19I am no more worthy to be called your son.Make me as one of your hired servants.”’
20“He arose and came to his father.But while he was still far off,his father saw him and was moved with compassion,and ran, fell on his neck, and kissed him.21The 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,‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him.Put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.23Bring the fattened calf,kill it, and let’s eat and celebrate;24for this, my son, was dead and is alive again.He was lost and is found.’Then they began to celebrate.
25“Now his elder son was in the field.As he came near to the house, he heard music and dancing.26He called one of the servants to himand asked what was going on.27He said to him, ‘Your brother has come,and your father has killed the fattened calf,because he has received him back safe and healthy.’28But he was angry and would not go in.Therefore his father came out and begged him.29But he answered his father,‘Behold, these many years I have served you,and I never disobeyed a commandment of yours,but you never gave me a goat,that I might celebrate with my friends.30But when this your son came,who has devoured your living with prostitutes,you killed the fattened calf for him.’
31“He said to him, ‘Son,you are always with me,and all that is mine is yours.32But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad,for this, your brother,was dead, and is alive again.He was lost, and is found.’”