The Parable of the Lost Sheep and Coin

15:1 Now all the tax collectors1 and sinners were coming2 to hear him. 15:2 But3 the Pharisees4 and the experts in the law5 were complaining,6 “This man welcomes7 sinners and eats with them.”

15:3 So8 Jesus9 told them10 this parable:11 15:4 “Which one12 of you, if he has a hundred13 sheep and loses one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture14 and go look for15 the one that is lost until he finds it?16 15:5 Then17 when he has found it, he places it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 15:6 Returning18 home, he calls together19 his20 friends and neighbors, telling them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 15:7 I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner21 who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people22 who have no need to repent.23

15:8 “Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins24 and loses25 one of them,26 does not light a lamp, sweep27 the house, and search thoroughly until she finds it? 15:9 Then28 when she has found it, she calls together her29 friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice30 with me, for I have found the coin31 that I had lost.’ 15:10 In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels32 over one sinner who repents.”

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

The Parable of the Clever Steward

16:1 Jesus1 also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who was informed of accusations2 that his manager3 was wasting4 his assets. 16:2 So5 he called the manager6 in and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you?7 Turn in the account of your administration,8 because you can no longer be my manager.’ 16:3 Then9 the manager said to himself, ‘What should I do, since my master is taking my position10 away from me? I’m not strong enough to dig,11 and I’m too ashamed12 to beg. 16:4 I know13 what to do so that when I am put out of management, people will welcome me into their homes.’14 16:5 So15 he contacted16 his master’s debtors one by one. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 16:6 The man17 replied, ‘A hundred measures18 of olive oil.’ The manager19 said to him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and write fifty.’20 16:7 Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ The second man21 replied, ‘A hundred measures22 of wheat.’ The manager23 said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’24 16:8 The25 master commended the dishonest26 manager because he acted shrewdly.27 For the people28 of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their contemporaries29 than the people30 of light. 16:9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by how you use worldly wealth,31 so that when it runs out you will be welcomed32 into the eternal homes.33

16:10 “The one who is faithful in a very little34 is also faithful in much, and the one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 16:11 If then you haven’t been trustworthy35 in handling worldly wealth,36 who will entrust you with the true riches?37 16:12 And if you haven’t been trustworthy38 with someone else’s property,39 who will give you your own40? 16:13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate41 the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise42 the other. You cannot serve God and money.”43