1All the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus.
2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law grumbled, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.’
3So Jesus told them this parable:
4‘Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go search for the lost sheep until you find it?
5And when you find it, you joyfully put it on your shoulders
6and go home. Then you call your friends and neighbors together and say, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’
7I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who changes their ways than over ninety-nine righteous people who do not need to change.
8‘Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?
9When she finds it, she gathers her friends and neighbors and says, ‘Celebrate with me because I have found the coin I lost.’
10I tell you, in the same way, God’s angels rejoice over one sinner who changes their ways and turns to God.
11Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons.
12The younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the inheritance now.’ So the father divided his property between them.
13A few days later, the younger son gathered all his belongings and left for a distant country. There, he wasted all his money on wild living.
14After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he began to experience great need.
15He went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.
16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17But when he finally came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food, while I am here starving to death!
18I will get up and go to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against God and against you.”
19I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me like one of your hired workers.’
20“So he got up and started back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt deep pity. He ran to his son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him.
21The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against God and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate,
24because my son here was dead and is alive again; he was lost and has been found.’ So they began to celebrate.
25“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. As he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.
26He called one of the servants and asked what was happening.
27The servant replied, ‘Your brother has come home, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
28The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him.
29But he answered his father, 'Look, I have served you for many years, and I have never disobeyed an order of yours. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.'
30'But when this son of yours came home—the one who wasted your money on prostitutes—you killed the fattened calf for him!’
31“His father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.’
32‘But we had to celebrate and be happy, because this brother of yours was dead and is now alive again. He was lost and has been found.’”