Luke 15:11-32
English Standard Version
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me (A)the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided (B)his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in (C)reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to[a] one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he (D)was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 “But (E)when he (F)came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, (G)I have sinned against (H)heaven and before you. 19 (I)I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and (J)ran and (K)embraced him and (L)kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. (M)I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’[b] 22 But the father said to his servants,[c] ‘Bring quickly (N)the best robe, and put it on him, and put (O)a ring on his hand, and (P)shoes on his feet. 23 And bring (Q)the fattened calf and kill it, and (R)let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son (S)was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might (T)celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, (U)who has devoured (V)your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, (W)you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting (X)to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother (Y)was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Luke 15:15 Greek joined himself to
- Luke 15:21 Some manuscripts add treat me as one of your hired servants
- Luke 15:22 Or bondservants
Luke 15:11-32
Christian Standard Bible
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 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[c] the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one would give him anything. 17 When he came to his senses,[d] he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger![e] 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 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.(G) He ran, threw his arms around his neck, 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 servants, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe(I) and put it on him; put a ring(J) on his finger 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.
25 “Now his older son was in the field; as he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he summoned one of the servants, questioning what these things meant. 27 ‘Your brother is here,’ he told him, ‘and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’[f]
28 “Then he became angry and didn’t want to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 But he replied to his father, ‘Look, I have been slaving many years for you, and I have never disobeyed your orders, yet you never gave me a goat so that I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your assets[g] with prostitutes,(N) you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’
31 “‘Son,’[h] he said to him, ‘you are always with me,(O) and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
Read full chapterThe Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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