11. And He said, "A certain man had two
sons;
12. and the younger of them said to his father,
'Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.' And he
divided his wealth between them.
13. "And not many days later, the younger son
gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant
country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living.
14. "Now when he had spent everything, a severe
famine occurred in that country, and he began to be in need.
15. "And he went and attached himself to one of
the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed
swine.
16. "And he was longing to fill his stomach with
the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to
him.
17. "But when he came to his senses, he said, 'How
many of my father's hired men have more than enough bread, but I am
dying here with hunger!
18. 'I will get up and go to my father, and will
say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight;
19. "I am no longer worthy to be called your son;
make me as one of your hired men."'
20. "And he got up and came to his father. But
while he was still a long way off, his father saw him, and felt
compassion for him, and ran and embraced him, and kissed him.
21. "And the son said to him, 'Father, I have
sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be
called your son.'
22. "But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly
bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand
and sandals on his feet;
23. and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let
us eat and be merry;
24. for this son of mine was dead, and has come to
life again; he was lost, and has been found.' And they began to be
merry.
25. "Now his older son was in the field, and when
he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.
26. "And he summoned one of the servants and began
inquiring what these things might be.
27. "And he said to him, 'Your brother has come,
and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received
him back safe and sound.'
28. "But he became angry, and was not willing to
go in; and his father came out and began entreating him.
29. "But he answered and said to his father,
'Look! For so many years I have been serving you, and I have never
neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a kid,
that I might be merry with my friends;
30. but when this son of yours came, who has
devoured your wealth with harlots, you killed the fattened calf for
him.'
31. "And he said to him, 'My child, you have
always been with me, and all that is mine is yours.
32. 'But we had to be merry and rejoice, for this
brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has
been found.'