Luke 15:1-32 KJ21

[1] Then drew near unto Him all 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 spoke 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 in the wilderness, and go 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, saying unto them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' [7] I say unto you that likewise more joy shall be in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth, than over ninety and nine just persons who need no repentance. [8] "Or what woman, having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle and sweep the house and seek diligently until she find it? [9] And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her 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 that 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 that falleth to me.' And he divided unto them his estate. [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, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. [16] And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine ate, 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 to his servants, 'Bring forth the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand 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 he hath 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 have I served thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment; and yet 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; and was lost, and is found.'"