The parables of the lost sheep and of the prodigal son.
15:1. Now the publicans and sinners drew near unto him to hear him.
15:2. And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying: This man
receiveth sinners and eateth with them.
15:3. And he spoke to them this parable, saying:
15:4. What man of you that hath an hundred sheep, and if he shall lose
one of them, doth he not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go
after that which was lost, until he find it?
15:5. And when he hath found it, lay it upon his shoulders, rejoicing?
15:6. And coming home, call together his friends and neighbours, saying
to them: Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost?
15:7. I say to you that even so there shall be joy in heaven upon one
sinner that doth penance, more than upon ninety-nine just who need not
penance.
15:8. Or what woman having ten groats, if she lose one groat, doth not
light a candle and sweep the house and seek diligently until she find
it?
15:9. And when she hath found it, call together her friends and
neighbours, saying: Rejoice with me, because I have found the groat
which I had lost.
15:10. So I say to you, there shall be joy before the angels of God upon
one sinner doing penance.
Before the angels... By this it is plain that the spirits in heaven have
a concern for us below, and a joy at our repentance and consequently a
knowledge of it.
15:11. And he said: A certain man had two sons.
15:12. And the younger of them said to his father: Father, give me the
portion of substance that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his
substance.
15:13. And not many days after, the younger son, gathering all together,
went abroad into a far country: and there wasted his substance, living
riotously.
15:14. And after he had spent all, there came a mighty famine in that
country: and he began to be in want.
15:15. And he went and cleaved to one of the citizens of that country.
And he sent him into his farm to feed swine.
15:16. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks the swine
did eat: and no man gave unto him.
15:17. And returning to himself, he said: How many hired servants in my
father's house abound with bread, and I here perish with hunger!
15:18. I will arise and will go to my father and say to him: Father, I
have sinned against heaven and before thee.
15:19. I am not worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired
servants.
15:20. And rising up, he came to his father. And when he was yet a great
way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion and running to
him fell upon his neck and kissed him.
15:21. And the son said to him: Father: I have sinned against heaven and
before thee I am not now worthy to be called thy son.
15:22. And the father said to his servants: Bring forth quickly the
first robe and put it on him: and put a ring on his hand and shoes on
his feet.
15:23. And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it: and let us eat and
make merry:
15:24. Because this my son was dead and is come to life again, was lost
and is found. And they began to be merry.
15:25. Now his elder son was in the field and when he came and drew nigh
to the house, he heard music and dancing.
15:26. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things
meant.
15:27. And he said to him: Thy brother is come and thy father hath
killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe.
15:28. And he was angry and would not go in. His father therefore coming
out began to entreat him.
15:29. And he answering, said to his father: Behold, for so many years
do I serve thee and I have never transgressed thy commandment: and yet
thou hast never given me a kid to make merry with my friends.
15:30. But as soon as this thy son is come, who hath devoured his
substance with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
15:31. But he said to him: Son, thou art always with me; and all I have
is thine.
15:32. But it was fit that we should make merry and be glad: for this
thy brother was dead and is come to life again; he was lost, and is
found.