Luke 15 (NMV)
1 All the tax collectors and sinners were approaching to listen to Him.
2 And the Pharisees and scribes were complaining: "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
3 So He told them this parable:
4 "What man among you, who has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?
5 When he has found it, he joyfully places it on his shoulders,
6 and coming home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Celebrate with me, because I have found my lost sheep!'
7 I tell you: in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who changes the way they live than over ninety-nine righteous people who do not see a need for repentance.
8 "Or what woman who has ten drachmas [each worth about a day's wage], if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?
9 When she finds it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Celebrate with me, because I have found the drachma I lost!'
10 I tell you: in the same way, there is joy in the presence of God's angels over one sinner who changes the way they live."
11 He also said: "A man had two sons.
12 The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the estate I have coming to me.' So he divided his property between them.
13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in reckless living.
14 After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he began to be in need.
15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.
16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods from the carob tree the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired workers have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger!
18 I will get up, go to my father, and 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 like one of your hired workers."'
20 So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him.
21 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 told his servants, 'Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
23 Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let's celebrate with a feast,
24 because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' So they began to celebrate.
25 Now his older son was in the field; as he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.
26 So he called one of the servants and asked what was going on.
27 'Your brother is here,' he told him, 'and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'
28 Then he became angry and didn't want to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him.
29 But he replied to his father, 'Look, I have been serving you many years, and I never disobeyed your commands, yet you never gave me even a young goat so that I could celebrate with my friends.
30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him!'
31 'Son,' he said to him, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.
32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'"