Luke 15:17-32
15:17 But when he came to his senses
he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have food
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 sinned
against heaven
and against
you.
15:19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me
like one of your hired workers.”’
15:20 So
he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way from home
his father saw him, and his heart went out to him;
he ran and hugged
his son
and kissed him.
15:21 Then
his son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven
and against you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
15:22 But the father said to his slaves,
‘Hurry! Bring the best robe,
and put it on him! Put a ring on his finger
and sandals
on his feet!
15:23 Bring
the fattened calf
and kill it! Let us eat
and celebrate,
15:24 because this son of mine was dead, and is alive again – he was lost and is found!’
So
they began to celebrate.
15:25 “Now his older son was in the field. As he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.
15:26 So he called one of the slaves and asked what was happening.
15:27 The slave replied, ‘Your brother has returned, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he got his son back safe and sound.’
15:28 But the older son became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and appealed to him,
15:29 but he answered his father, ‘Look! These many years I have worked like a slave for you, and I never disobeyed your commands. Yet you never gave me even a goat so that I could celebrate with my friends!
15:30 But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’
15:31 Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and everything that belongs to me is yours.
15:32 It was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost and is found.’”