Luke chapter 15.11-32
11 Then Jesus said, ‘There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father,
“Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.” So he divided his property
between them. 13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and travelled to a distant
country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 14 When he had spent everything, a
severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and
hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs.
16 He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him
anything. 17 But when he came to himself he said, “How many of my father’s hired hands have bread
enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say
to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called
your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.’ ” 20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he
was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around
him and kissed him. 21 Then the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before
you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” 22 But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring
out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 And
get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive
again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate. 25 ‘Now his elder son was in the field;
and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the
slaves and asked what was going on. 27 He replied, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed
the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.” 28 Then he became angry and refused to
go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29 But he answered his father, “Listen! For all
these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet
you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when
this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted
calf for him!” 31 Then the father said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is
yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come
to life; he was lost and has been found.” ’
