| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | NET Bible |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming to hear him. |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2But the Pharisees and the experts in the law were complaining, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3So Jesus told them this parable: |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4"Which one of you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go look for the one that is lost until he finds it? |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5Then when he has found it, he places it on his shoulders, rejoicing. |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6Returning home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, telling them, 'Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost.' |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to repent. |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8"Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search thoroughly until she finds it? |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9Then when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God's angels over one sinner who repents." |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11Then Jesus said, "A man had two sons. |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the estate that will belong to me.' So he divided his assets between them. |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13After a few days, the younger son gathered together all he had and left on a journey to a distant country, and there he squandered his wealth with a wild lifestyle. |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14Then after he had spent everything, a severe famine took place in that country, and he began to be in need. |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15So he went and worked for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16He was longing to eat the carob pods the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. |
| 17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17But 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! |
| 18[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18I will get up and go to my father and say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. |
| 19[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired workers."' |
| 20[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 20So 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. |
| 21[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 21Then his son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' |
| 22[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 22But 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! |
| 23[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it! Let us eat and celebrate, |
| 24[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 24because this son of mine was dead, and is alive again--he was lost and is found!' So they began to celebrate. |
| 25[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 25"Now his older son was in the field. As he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. |
| 26[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 26So he called one of the slaves and asked what was happening. |
| 27[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 27The slave replied, 'Your brother has returned, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he got his son back safe and sound.' |
| 28[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 28But the older son became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and appealed to him, |
| 29[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 29but 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! |
| 30[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 30But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!' |
| 31[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 31Then the father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and everything that belongs to me is yours. |
| 32[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 32It was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost and is found.'" |
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