1   Then drew near to him all the publicans ^note and sinners, to hear him. 2   And the Pharisees and scribes murmured saying, This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them. 3   And he spake ^note a parable to them, saying,

^note 4   Who of you, having an hundred sheep, and losing one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, ^note and go after that which is lost, till he find it? 5   And having found it, he layeth it17Q0211 on his shoulders rejoicing. 6   And coming home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7   I say to you, Thus joy shall be ^note in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, who do not need repentance. 8   Or 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? 9   And having found it, she calleth her friends and neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10   Thus, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God, over one sinner that repenteth.

11   And he said, A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father; 12   Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. ^note 13   And he divided to them his substance. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, and took a journey into a far country, ^note and there squandered away his substance, living riotously. 14   And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want. ^note 15   And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; ^note and he sent him into his fields, to feed swine.

16   And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks ^note that the swine ate: and no man gave to him. 17   And coming to himself, ^note he said, How many hired servants of my father have bread enough and to spare, and I am perishing with hunger? 18   I will arise and go to my father, ^note and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee: 19   I am no more worthy to be called thy son; make me as one of thy hired servants. 20   And he arose and came to his father: ^note But while he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and his bowels yearned, and he ran, and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21   And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22   But the father said ^note 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. 23   And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat and be merry. ^note 24   For this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. 25   And they began to be merry. Now his elder son ^note was in the field. And as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. 26   And calling one of the servants, he asked what these things meant? 27   And he told him, Thy brother is come, and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, ^note because he hath received him in good health. 28   But he was angry, and would not go in: ^note therefore his father coming out intreated him. 29   And he answering said to his father, Lo these many years do I serve thee, ^note neither transgressed I thy commandment at any time, yet thou never gavest me a kid, that

I might make merry with my friends. 30   But as soon as this thy son was come, who hath devoured thy substance with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31   And he said to him, Son, thou art always with me, and all that I have is thine. ^note 32   But it was17Q0212 meet to make merry and be glad, for this thy brother was dead and is alive ^note again, and was lost and is found.

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