Chapter XLVI

PARABLES OF LOST SHEEP, LOST PIECE OF SILVER AND PRODIGAL SON.

Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of
them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness,
and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he
hath found _it_, he layeth _it_ on his shoulders, rejoicing.
And when he cometh home, he calleth together _his_ friends and
neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep
which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in
heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety
and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one
piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek
diligently, till she find _it_? And when she hath found _it_,
she calleth _her_ friends and _her_ neighbors together,
saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I
had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the
presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

And he said,

A certain man had two sons: and the younger of them said to
_his_ father, Father, give me the portion of goods that
falleth _to me_. And he divided unto them _his_ living. And
not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and
took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his
substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all,
there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be
in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that
country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he
would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine
did eat; and no man gave unto him.

And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants
of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish
with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say
unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before
thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as
one of thy hired servants.

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a
great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and
ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said
unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy
sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the
father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and
put _it_ on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on
_his_ feet: and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill _it_:
and let us eat and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is
alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be
merry.

Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew
nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called
one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he
said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed
the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his
father out and entreated him.

And he answering said to _his_ father, Lo, these many years do
I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy
commandment; and yet thou never gavest me a kid that I might
make merry with my friends: but as soon as this thy son was
come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast
killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son,
thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was
meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy
brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is
found.