15:1Now the tax collectors and sinners drew near to him to hear him.
2And the Pharisees and the teachers of the law murmured, saying: This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
3And he spoke to them this parable, saying:
11And he said: A certain man had two sons:
12And the younger of them said to his father: Father, give me the share of substance that falleth to me. And he divided to them his substance.
13And not many days after, the younger son, gathering all together, went abroad into a far country: and there wasted his substance, living riotously.
14And after he had spent all, there came a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want.
15And he went and cleaved to one of the citizens of that country. And he sent him into his farm to feed swine.
16And he would fain have satisfied his belly with the husks the swine did eat; and no man gave to him.
17And returning to himself, he said: How many hired servants in my father's house abound with bread, and I here perish with hunger?
18I will arise, and will go to my father, and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before you:
19I am not worthy to be called your son: make me as one of your hired servants.
20And rising up he came to his father. And when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and running to him fell upon his neck, and kissed him.
21And the son said to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before you, I am not now worthy to be called your son.
22And the father said to his servants: Bring forth quickly the first robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23And bring here the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat and make merry:
24Because this my son was dead, and is come to life again: was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25Now his elder son was in the field, and when he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing:
26And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27And he said to him: Your brother is come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe.
28And he was angry, and would not go in. His father therefore coming out began to entreat him.
29And he answering, said to his father: Look, for so many years do I serve you, and I have never transgressed your command, and yet you have never given me a kid to make merry with my friends:
30But as soon as this your son is come, who has devoured his substance with harlots, you have killed for him the fatted calf.
31But he said to him: Son, you are always with me, and all I have is yours.
32But it was fit that we should make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead and is come to life again; he was lost, and is found.