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Parables For Sinners And Pharisees

15 Now all the tax-collectors and the sinners were drawing-near to Him to hear Him. And both the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling, saying that “This One is welcoming sinners and eating with them”.

The Lost Sheep And Lost Coin: Heaven Rejoices When a Sinner Repents

And He spoke this parable to them, saying “What man from-among you having a hundred sheep and having lost one of them, does not leave-behind the ninety nine in the wilderness and proceed after the one having become-lost until he finds it? And having found it, he puts it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And having come to the house, he calls-together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice-with me, because I found my lost sheep!’ I say to you that in this manner there will be joy in heaven over one sinner repenting more-than[a] over ninety nine righteous ones who have no need of repentance. Or what woman having ten drachmas[b], if she loses one drachma, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek carefully until which time she finds it ? And having found it, she calls together her women friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice-with me, because I found the drachma which I lost!’ 10 In this manner, I say to you, joy comes-about in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting”.

The Prodigal Son: The Father Rejoices When His Lost Son Returns

11 And He said, “A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the part of your substance[c] falling to me’. And the one distributed[d] his property to them. 13 And after not many days, having gathered together everything, the younger son went-on-a-journey to a distant country. And there he squandered his substance living wildly. 14 And he having spent everything, a severe famine came about in relation to that country, and he began to be-in-need. 15 And having gone, he joined himself to one of the citizens of that country. And he sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was desiring to be filled-to-satisfaction with the carob-pods which the pigs were eating. And no one was giving anything to him. 17 But having come to himself, he said, ‘How many hired-workers of my father are abounding[e] with bread, but I am perishing[f] here in a famine! 18 Having arisen, I will proceed to my father and say to him, “Father, I 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-workers”’. 20 And having arisen, he went to his father. But he still being far distant, his father saw him and felt-deep-feelings [of love]. And having run, he fell upon his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I 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 give him a ring for his hand and sandals for the feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf. Slaughter it. And having eaten, let us celebrate! 24 Because this son of mine was dead, and he became-alive-again. He had become-lost, and he was found’. And they began to celebrate.

The Older Brother Is Angered By His Father’s Joy

25 “Now his older son was in the field. And when while coming he drew-near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And having summoned one of the servants, he was inquiring as to what these things might be. 27 And the one said to him that ‘Your brother has come. And your father slaughtered the fatted calf because he received him back being healthy’. 28 And he became-angry, and was not willing to go in. And his father, having come out, was appealing-to him. 29 But the one, having responded, said to his father, ‘Behold— I am slaving for you for so many years, and I never disregarded your command. And you never gave me a goat in order that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came— the one having devoured your property with prostitutes— you slaughtered the fatted calf for him!’ 31 And the one said to him, ‘Child, you are always with me, and all my things are yours. 32 But it-was-necessary to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead, and he became-alive. And he had become-lost, and he was found’”.

Footnotes

  1. Luke 15:7 Or, rather-than.
  2. Luke 15:8 A drachma is a Greek coin equivalent to the Roman denarius. It is one day’s wage for a laborer.
  3. Luke 15:12 Or, property, estate.
  4. Luke 15:12 Or, divided. One third went to the younger son; two thirds to the older, Deut 21:17.
  5. Luke 15:17 Or, having leftovers of.
  6. Luke 15:17 Or, losing-myself. This is another form of the key word ‘lost’ found in all three parables in chapter 15.

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