The Parable of the Compassionate Father

15:11 Then33 Jesus34 said, “A man had two sons. 15:12 The35 younger of them said to his36 father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate37 that will belong38 to me.’ So39 he divided his40 assets between them.41 15:13 After42 a few days,43 the younger son gathered together all he had and left on a journey to a distant country, and there he squandered44 his wealth45 with a wild lifestyle. 15:14 Then46 after he had spent everything, a severe famine took place in that country, and he began to be in need. 15:15 So he went and worked for47 one of the citizens of that country, who48 sent him to his fields to feed pigs.49 15:16 He50 was longing to eat51 the carob pods52 the pigs were eating, but53 no one gave him anything. 15:17 But when he came to his senses54 he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have food55 enough to spare, but here I am dying from hunger! 15:18 I will get up and go to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned56 against heaven57 and against58 you. 15:19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me59 like one of your hired workers.” ’ 15:20 So60 he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way from home61 his father saw him, and his heart went out to him;62 he ran and hugged63 his son64 and kissed him. 15:21 Then65 his son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven66 and against you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’67 15:22 But the father said to his slaves,68 ‘Hurry! Bring the best robe,69 and put it on him! Put a ring on his finger70 and sandals71 on his feet! 15:23 Bring72 the fattened calf73 and kill it! Let us eat74 and celebrate, 15:24 because this son of mine was dead, and is alive again—he was lost and is found!’75 So76 they began to celebrate.

15:25 “Now his older son was in the field. As77 he came and approached the house, he heard music78 and dancing. 15:26 So79 he called one of the slaves80 and asked what was happening. 15:27 The slave replied,81 ‘Your brother has returned, and your father has killed the fattened calf82 because he got his son83 back safe and sound.’ 15:28 But the older son84 became angry85 and refused86 to go in. His father came out and appealed to him, 15:29 but he answered87 his father, ‘Look! These many years I have worked like a slave88 for you, and I never disobeyed your commands. Yet89 you never gave me even a goat90 so that I could celebrate with my friends! 15:30 But when this son of yours91 came back, who has devoured92 your assets with prostitutes,93 you killed the fattened calf94 for him!’ 15:31 Then95 the father96 said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and everything that belongs to me is yours. 15:32 It was appropriate97 to celebrate and be glad, for your brother98 was dead, and is alive; he was lost and is found.’ ”99