Lucas 15

The Parable of the Lost Son

11 He also said, "A man had two sons.12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate I have coming to me.’ So he distributed the assets* 15:12 Or life, or livelihood, also in v. 30to them.13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squandered* 15:13 Lk 16:1his estate in foolish living.* 15:13 Rm 6:2; 8:12; Gl 2:14; Col 3:714 After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing.* 15:14 Lit and he began to be in need15 Then he went to work for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.* 15:15 Lv 11:7; Dt 14:816 He longed to eat his fill from* 15:16 Other mss read to fill his stomach withthe pods that the pigs were eating, but no one would give him anything.17 When he came to his senses,* 15:17 Lit to himselfhe said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger!* 15:17 Or dying in the famine; v. 1418 I’ll get up, go to my father, and say to him, "Father, I have sinned* 15:18 Ex 10:16against heaven* 15:18 Mt 21:25; Jn 3:27and in your sight.19 I’m no longer worthy* 15:19 Lk 7:6–7to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired workers." ’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion.* 15:20 Mt 9:36; Mk 1:41; Lk 7:13; 10:33He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed* 15:20 Gn 29:13; 33:4; 45:15; 2Sm 14:33him.21 The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 "But the father told his servants, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe* 15:22 Zch 3:3–5and put it on him; put a ring* 15:22 Gn 41:42; Est 3:10; 8:2on his finger and sandals* 15:22 Ezk 16:10on his feet.23 Then bring the fattened calf* 15:23 1Sm 28:24and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast,24 because this son of mine was dead and is alive again;* 15:24 Lk 15:32; Rm 11:15; 2Co 4:10; Col 2:13he was lost and is found! ’ So they began to celebrate.

25 "Now his older son was in the field; as he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.26 So he summoned one of the servants, questioning what these things meant.27 ‘Your brother is here,’ he told him, ‘and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’* 15:27 Lit him back healthy

28 "Then he became angry and didn’t want to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him.29 But he replied to his father, ‘Look, I have been slaving many years for you, and I have never disobeyed your orders, yet you never gave me a goat so that I could celebrate with my friends.30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your assets* 15:30 Or life, or livelihoodwith prostitutes,* 15:30 Pr 29:3you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’

31 " ‘Son,’* 15:31 Lit Childhe said to him, ‘you are always with me,* 15:31 Jn 8:35and everything I have is yours.32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ "