1 Now the tax collectors and worldly people were all gathering around Jesus to listen to Him.
2 And the Pharisees and experts in the law of Moses both complained, saying, "This man welcomes worldly people and [even] eats with them."
3 So, Jesus told them this parable, saying,
4 "Which one of you who has a hundred sheep, and loses one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in a deserted place and go looking for the lost one until he finds it?
5 And when he finds it, he places it on his shoulders [i.e., to return it], and is so glad.
6 And when he gets home, he calls his friends and neighbors together and says to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I found my sheep that was lost.'
7 I tell you that, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinful person who repents [i.e., changes his heart and life], than over ninety-nine persons who do not need to repent.
8 Or what woman, who has ten silver coins [Note: These coins each amounted to about one day of a farm laborer's pay, or about $60-$84 in 1994], and if she loses one of them, would not light a lamp, sweep the house and search for it diligently until she finds it?
9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I found the coin I had lost.'
10 In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God's angels [i.e., in heaven ?] over one sinful person who repents."
11 Then Jesus said, "A certain man had two sons.
12 The younger one said to his father, 'Father, [please] give me my share of your property that I have coming.' So, the father divided up what he had to live on [with his two sons].
13 And a few days later, this younger son gathered everything together and traveled to a distant country where he squandered his possessions in wild living.
14 And when he had spent everything [he had], a severe famine occurred in that country and he became desperate for food.
15 So, he went to work for one of the citizens of that country who sent him to his fields to feed his hogs.
16 Now he wanted to fill his stomach with the [carob] pods the hogs were eating, but no one gave him any [or perhaps, anything else].
17 But when he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread to eat, and here I am, dying from hunger!
18 I will get up and go to my father and say to him, Father, I have sinned against [the God of] heaven and against you.
19 I do not deserve to be called your son [anymore]. Consider me as [just] one of your hired servants.'
20 So, he got up and went to his father. But while he was still some distance [from the house], his father saw him and felt deep pity [for him], so ran and embraced him and kissed him [enthusiastically].
21 Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against [the God of] heaven and against you. I do not deserve 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 finger and sandals on his feet.
23 And bring the fattened calf, kill it and let us eat and enjoy ourselves.
24 For my son here was dead [spiritually], but is [now] alive again. He was lost [from me], but [now] is found.' And they began to celebrate.
25 Now the father's older son was [out] in the field. And when he came in and got close to the house he heard music and dancing.
26 So, he called one of the servants to him and asked what was going on.
27 And the servant said to him, 'Your brother has come [home] and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he welcomed him back safe [from harm].'
28 But the older son got angry and refused to go into [the house]. So, his father came out and pleaded with him [i.e., to come in and join the celebration].
29 But he replied to his father, 'Look, I have served you [as a slave] for all these years and have never disobeyed any of your orders, yet you never gave me [even] a young goat, so I could enjoy myself with my friends.
30 But when this son of yours came [home], after having squandered all you gave him on prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.'