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15:1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 15:2 And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, 'This man receives sinners and eats with them.' 15:3 So he told them this parable: 15:4 'What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? 15:5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 15:6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.' 15:7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. 15:8 'Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 15:9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.' 15:10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.' 15:11 And he said, 'There was a man who had two sons; 15:12 and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. 15:13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. 15:14 And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. 15:15 So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. 15:16 And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate;and no one gave him anything. 15:17 But when he came to himself he said, How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 15:19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son;treat me as one of your hired servants.'' 15:20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 15:21 And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you;I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him;and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; 15:23 and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; 15:24 for this my son was dead, and is alive again;he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. 15:25 'Now his elder son was in the field;and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 15:26 And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. 15:27 And he said to him, Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' 15:28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 15:29 but he answered his father, Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command;yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. 15:30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' 15:31 And he said to him, Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 15:32 It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive;he was lost, and is found.''