Then ¹  his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, ² 

Be merciful, ¹  just as your Father is merciful.

Thus ¹  I grant ²  to you a kingdom, ³  just as my Father granted to me,

So ¹  the child’s ²  father ³  and mother were amazed ⁴  at what was said about him.

For all the nations of the world pursue ¹  these things, and your Father knows that you need them.

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is well pleased ¹  to give you the kingdom.

But the older son ¹  became angry ²  and refused ³  to go in. His father came out and appealed to him,

All things have been given to me by my Father. ¹  No one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son decides ²  to reveal him.”

When ¹  his parents ²  saw him, they were overwhelmed. His ³  mother said to him, “Child, ⁴  why have you treated ⁵  us like this? Look, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.” ⁶ 

If you then, although you are ¹  evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit ²  to those who ask him!”

They will be divided, ¹  father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

So ¹  he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way from home ²  his father saw him, and his heart went out to him; ³  he ran and hugged ⁴  his son ⁵  and kissed him.

But the father said to his slaves, ¹  ‘Hurry! Bring the best robe, ²  and put it on him! Put a ring on his finger ³  and sandals ⁴  on his feet!

The slave replied, ¹  ‘Your brother has returned, and your father has killed the fattened calf ²  because he got his son ³  back safe and sound.’

On that same occasion ¹  Jesus ²  rejoiced ³  in the Holy Spirit and said, “I praise ⁴  you, Father, Lord ⁵  of heaven and earth, because ⁶  you have hidden these things from the wise ⁷  and intelligent, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your gracious will. ⁸