Add parallel Print Page Options

The Parable of the Prodigal and His Brother

11 Then Jesus[a] said, “There was a man who had two sons.(A) 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the wealth that will belong to me.’ So he divided his assets between them.(B) 13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant region, and there he squandered his wealth in dissolute living. 14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that region, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that region, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16 He would gladly have filled his stomach[b] with the pods that the pigs were eating, and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to his senses he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.” ’ 20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him.(C) 21 Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’[c](D) 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.(E) 23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate, 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.(F)

25 “Now his elder son was in the field, and as he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27 He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf because he has got him back safe and sound.’ 28 Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command, yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’(G) 31 Then the father[d] said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’ ”(H)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 15.11 Gk he
  2. 15.16 Other ancient authorities read filled himself
  3. 15.21 Other ancient authorities add Treat me like one of your hired servants
  4. 15.31 Gk he

The Prodigal Son

11 And He said, “A man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me (A)the share of the estate that [a]is coming to me.’ And so he divided his [b](B)wealth between them. 13 And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey to a distant country, and there he squandered his estate in [c]wild living. 14 Now when he had [d]spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began doing without. 15 So he went and [e]hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he longed to have his fill of the carob pods that the pigs were eating, and no one was giving him anything. 17 But when he came to [f]his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired laborers have more than enough bread, but I am dying here [g]from hunger! 18 I will set out and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and [h]in your sight; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired laborers.”’ 20 So he set out and came to [i]his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and [j](C)embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and [k]in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out (D)the best robe and put it on him, and [l](E)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 (F)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 [m]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 [n](G)wealth with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you [o]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 (H)dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’”

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Luke 15:12 Lit falls
  2. Luke 15:12 Lit means of subsistence
  3. Luke 15:13 Or wasteful
  4. Luke 15:14 Or wasted
  5. Luke 15:15 Lit joined himself to
  6. Luke 15:17 Lit himself
  7. Luke 15:17 Lit by
  8. Luke 15:18 Lit before you
  9. Luke 15:20 Lit his own
  10. Luke 15:20 Lit fell on his neck
  11. Luke 15:21 Lit before you
  12. Luke 15:22 Lit give...into his hand
  13. Luke 15:29 Or disobeyed
  14. Luke 15:30 Lit means of subsistence
  15. Luke 15:31 Lit are always with me