The Parable of the Lost Son

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 distributed the assets^[a] to them. ¹³ Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squandered^(A) his estate in foolish living.^{(B) 14} After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing.^{[b] 15} Then he went to work for^[c] one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.^{(C) 16} He longed to eat his fill from^[d] the carob pods^[e] the pigs were eating, but no one would give him any. ¹⁷ When he came to his senses,^[f] he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger!^{[g] 18} I’ll get up, go to my father, and say to him, Father, I have sinned^(D) against heaven^(E) and in your sight. ¹⁹ I’m no longer worthy^(F) to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired hands.’ 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.^(G) He ran, threw his arms around his neck,^[h] and kissed^(H) him. ²¹ The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.’

²² “But the father told his slaves, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe^(I) and put it on him; put a ring^(J) on his finger^[i] and sandals^(K) on his feet. ²³ Then bring the fattened calf^(L) and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast, ²⁴ because this son of mine was dead and is alive again;^(M) he was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.