20 So he set out and came to [a]his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and [b](A)embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and [c]in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out (B)the best robe and put it on him, and [d](C)put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet; 23 and bring the fattened calf, slaughter it, and let’s eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was (D)dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.

25 “Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. 29 But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never [e]neglected a command of yours; and yet you never gave me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; 30 but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your [f](E)wealth with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you [g]have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was (F)dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’”

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 15:20 Lit his own
  2. Luke 15:20 Lit fell on his neck
  3. Luke 15:21 Lit before you
  4. Luke 15:22 Lit give...into his hand
  5. Luke 15:29 Or disobeyed
  6. Luke 15:30 Lit means of subsistence
  7. Luke 15:31 Lit are always with me

20 So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.(A)

21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.(B) I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe(C) and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger(D) and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again;(E) he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.(F)

25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

28 “The older brother became angry(G) and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property(H) with prostitutes(I) comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”(J)

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