Parables For Sinners And Pharisees

15 Now all the tax-collectors and the sinners were drawing-near to Him to hear Him. ² 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

³ And He spoke this parable to them, saying ⁴ “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? ⁵ And having found it, he puts it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶ 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!’ ⁷ 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. ⁸ 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 ? ⁹ 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’”.