Parable of the lost sheep, and also the ten pieces of silver -- Parable of the prodigal son.

¹⁾Then drew near unto him, many of the publicans, and sinners, to hear him.

²⁾And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them.

³⁾And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

⁴⁾What man of you having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine, and go into the wilderness after that which is lost, until he find it?

⁵⁾And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

⁶⁾And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, and saith unto them, Rejoice with me; for I found my sheep which was lost.

⁷⁾I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, who need no repentance.

⁸⁾Either, what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?

⁹⁾And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I had lost.

¹⁰⁾Likewise I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repenteth.

¹¹⁾And he said, A certain man had two sons;

¹²⁾And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods which falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

¹³⁾And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

¹⁴⁾And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land and he began to be in want.

¹⁵⁾And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

¹⁶⁾And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks which the swine did eat; and no man gave unto him.

¹⁷⁾And when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

¹⁸⁾I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee;

¹⁹⁾And am no more worthy to be called thy son; make me as one of thy hired servants.

²⁰⁾And he arose and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

²¹⁾And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

²²⁾But the father said unto his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his finger, and shoes on his feet;

²³⁾And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat and be merry;

²⁴⁾For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

²⁵⁾Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came, and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing.

²⁶⁾And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant?

²⁷⁾And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because hath he received him safe and sound.

²⁸⁾And he was angry, and would not go in; therefore came his father out and entreated him.

²⁹⁾And he answering, said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment; and thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends;

³⁰⁾But as soon as this thy son was come, who hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

³¹⁾And he said unto him, Son thou art ever with me; and all that I have is thine.

³²⁾It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad; for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; was lost, and is found.