Luke 15:3-24

Christian Standard Bible

³ So he told them this parable:^{(A) 4} “What man among you, who has a hundred sheep and loses one of them,^(B) does not leave the ninety-nine in the open field^[a] and go after the lost one until he finds it? ⁵ When he has found it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, ⁶ and coming home, he calls his friends and neighbors together, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!’ ⁷ I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven^(C) over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who don’t need repentance.

The Parable of the Lost Coin

⁸ “Or what woman who has ten silver coins,^[b][c] 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 her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found the silver coin I lost!’ ¹⁰ I tell you, in the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels^(D) over one sinner who repents.”

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^[d] to them. ¹³ Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squandered^(E) his estate in foolish living.^{(F) 14} After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing.^{[e] 15} Then he went to work for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.^{(G) 16} He longed to eat his fill from^[f] the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one would give him anything. ¹⁷ When he came to his senses,^[g] he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger!^{[h] 18} I’ll get up, go to my father, and say to him, “Father, I have sinned^(H) against heaven^(I) and in your sight. ¹⁹ I’m no longer worthy^(J) 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.^(K) He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed^(L) 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 servants, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe^(M) and put it on him; put a ring^(N) on his finger and sandals^(O) on his feet. ²³ Then bring the fattened calf^(P) and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast, ²⁴ because this son of mine was dead and is alive again;^(Q) he was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.