The Lost Son

11 He said, “A man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.’ So he divided his possessions between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and traveled to a distant country. There he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 After he had spent everything, a severe famine came over that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and attached himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill himself with what the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 Then he came to himself and said, ‘How many of my father's hired workers have more than enough food, while I am dying here from hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired workers.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. While he was still far away, his father saw him and was moved with compassion. He ran to him, embraced him, and kissed him tenderly. 21 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 servants, ‘Quickly! Bring out the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us eat and celebrate, 24 because this son of mine was dead and has come to life again. He was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate. 25 His older son was in the field. As he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he received him back safe and sound.’ 28 Then he became angry and did not want to go in. His father came out and appealed to him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me even a young goat so that I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who consumed your possessions with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 The father said to him, ‘Child, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life again. He was lost and has been found.’”